At G-20, Trump tasks Mnuchin with selling the world on America First
By Damian Paletta March 16 at 7:33 AM
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin travels to Buenos Aires Monday to meet with global finance ministers itching for a fight over President Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminum. But Trump might have found his ideal emissary in Mnuchin, who has shown a deft ability to draw his foreign counterparts close while simultaneously advancing Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Mnuchin’s ability to toggle between diplomat and loyal soldier will be put to the test like never before in Argentina, as Trump is preparing to unleash tariffs that could impact more than a dozen U.S. allies, many of which are confused about details and threatening to retaliate.
The meeting comes as the White House is in a major shift on trade policy, with Trump preparing to impose tariffs and other measures he promised as a presidential candidate. At the meeting in Argentina, Mnuchin will be forced to explain these measures, and in some cases deliver them.
At the same time, allies aren’t waiting long to threaten retaliation. On Friday, the European Union made public a 10-page-list of American products that are potential targets for tariffs if Trump does not give the E.U. a reprieve from its new steel and aluminum tariffs.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/at-g-20-trump-tasks-mnuchin-with-selling-the-world-on-american-first/2018/03/16/a77940dc-286e-11e8-874b-d517e912f125_story.html