Trump's steel curbs risk trade war: Japan mills group

Tokyo

THERE'S a risk of a global trade war should US President Donald Trump decide to restrict imports of steel, according to Japan's leading mills group, which warns any new US curbs on the metal may provoke a tit-for-tat response that could drag in other products.

Concern would deepen about the potential spread of protectionism if Mr Trump acts, Kosei Shindo, chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, told reporters in Tokyo on Monday. A trade fight beyond steel could happen if countries retaliated in other areas, such as farm products, Mr Shindo said.