The president has ratcheted up the rate on foreign metals to 50 percent, double the previous rate, saying the levies weren’t high enough to help the U.S. industry.

US President Donald Trump has signed an order doubling tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25% to 50%. The move hikes import taxes on the metals - key inputs in everything from cars to canned food - for the second time since March.

US tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled to 50% as of 12:01 am ET on Wednesday, a move cheered by the beleaguered US steel industry but decried by heavy users of the metals, from car makers to can manufacturers.