U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose tariffs on Argentina and Brazil, accusing those countries of hurting American farmers through currency manipulation.

Trump tweeted Monday that he would place tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the two South American countries, surprising officials there.

“Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies. which is not good for our farmers. Therefore, effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel & Aluminum that is shipped into the U.S. from those countries,” he wrote.

The two South American countries were among a group of nations that Trump had exempted from these tariffs in March 2018, after they agreed to quotas.

Brazil's government said in a statement it was already in discussions with Washington. President Jair Bolsonaro, who has expressed strong support for Trump, said in a local radio interview Monday that he would call Trump and that he believed the U.S. president would listen to Brazil’s concerns.

Argentina’s production minister, Dante Sica, called Trump's announcement "unexpected" and said he would seek talks with U.S. officials.

Argentina and Brazil have benefited from the U.S. trade war with China, by increasing exports of agricultural goods to China.

Source : VOA