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Jeff Kowalsky/European Pressphoto Agency
WASHINGTON — President Trump is expected to formally sign off on stiff and sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum imports at noon on Thursday, according to people familiar with the deliberations, capitalizing on the pending departure of his top economic adviser, Gary D. Cohn, who was the plan’s primary opponent.
But as advisers readied for an announcement, the White House appeared to open the door to making the policy less draconian, saying Wednesday that close allies could be exempted.
“We expect that the president will sign something by the end of the week,” Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary said. “And there are potential carve-outs for Mexico and Canada based on national security and possibly other countries as well based on that process.”
Mr. Trump has said the tariffs would apply to all countries across the board and that any exemptions could open a Pandora’s box of requests. But he and other administration officials continue to say that there will be exceptions for countries that meet certain tests.
The tariffs may not go into effect immediately. Under the statute that gives Mr. Trump authority to impose the measure, he has up to 15 days to take action. That period could give countries or companies a chance to submit input and try to sway the administration’s plan, according to the people familiar with the deliberations.
Still, Mr. Trump appears committed to pushing through the type of sweeping tariffs that rankled Mr. Cohn, and that have been touted by advisers who have urged the president to follow through with the protectionist pledges he made during his campaign.
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