The United States doubled tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday, activating a hike in the duties on the imported metals to 50% from the 25% rate introduced in March. The day also marks the Trump administration’s deadline for trading partners to submit their “best offers” to avoid further steep import duties set to take effect in early July.

Markets rose after the call on the notion that Trump would back down on the tariffs when they become too disruptive, but ended lower. “From an investor perspective in the short-term because there’s the view he will flip on his worst impulses,

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs are facing legal headwinds for the first time — but he has other tools he could deploy in his quest to realign global trade.