In addition to the exceptions for the two NAFTA partners, the White House will give other nations the opportunity to justify why they shouldn't be included. 
 
 "If the same goals can be accomplished by other means, America will remain open to modifying or removing the tariffs for individual nations, as long as we can agree on a way to ensure that their products no longer threaten our security," Trump said. 
 
 Determining further exceptions will depend on whether countries can convince Trump that there's a "satisfactory alternative means" for resolving trade inequities, said an administration official familiar with the tariff proclamations who spoke on condition of anonymity. 
 
 "We're going to show great flexibility," Trump added. 
 
 In the meantime, the president said it's vital for national interests to take action against other nations that have dumped steel into the global market, costing American jobs and the nation's economic standing. 
 
 "Now we're finally taking action to correct this long overdue problem," he said. "It's a travesty." 
 
 While there is not currently a timetable, the exemptions for Canada and Mexico "are not open-ended" and will depend on whether changes are made to NAFTA that satisfy Trump, the administration official added. The proclamations also can be amended in other ways "to preserve our national security." 
 
 "I have a feeling we're going to make a deal on NAFTA," Trump said. 
 
 The president began saber rattling about tariffs during his 2016 "Make America Great Again" election campaign. He frequently has complained that previous administrations negotiated trade deals that were unfair to the U.S., and he has resolved that he would revisit them. 
 
 Though the moves resonated with a chunk of Trump's base, they've caused conflict both within the administration and the Republican Party, which saw 107 of its House members sign a letter in opposition. Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, is leaving his post after a dispute over the tariffs. 
 
 Trump is using authority under Section 232 of U.S. law, which gives the president the ability to issue tariffs based on national security concerns. The administration official said the pivotal role the steel and aluminum industries play in defense munitions and economic security will easily justify the 232 citation. 
 
 Critics, though, say the argument is flimsy and will worsen economic relations globally, possibly triggering a trade war. Financial markets have been volatile since Trump indicated late last week that the tariffs were coming. 
 
 The administration is not expecting business backlash against the moves, despite many industries' reliance on cheaper imports. 
 
 "I think companies are going to be very happy in the end, countries are going to be happy. We're going to show great flexibility," Trump said. 
 
 Since the announcement, U.S. Steel has announced it is reopening a plant in Illinois, while Century Aluminum officials have said the tariffs could generate 300 new jobs in Kentucky. ||||| President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Associated Press) 
 
 President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Associated Press) 
 
 WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum (all times local): 
 
 3:45 p.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is announcing steep tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum to address what he says is an "assault on our country." 
 
 Trump says a 25 percent tax will apply to steel imports, and 10 percent will be added to aluminum brought into the U.S. 
 
 Trump says the excess of imported steel and aluminum is a "travesty" and hurts American workers and industry. 
 
 In making the long-awaited announcement Thursday, Trump says the U.S. industry has been "ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices." 
 
 Says Trump, "It's really an assault on our country." 
 
 __ 
 
 2:50 p.m. 
 
 Sources outside the White House say President Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will take effect in 15 days, with Canada and Mexico indefinitely excluded from the duties. 
 
 Trump is ordering import tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum later Thursday. He says American manufacturers need to be protected on national security grounds. 
 
 The people briefed on the plans say all countries affected by the tariffs are being invited to negotiate for exemptions, if they can address the threat their exports pose to the U.S. 
 
 Those briefed on the plans say the exclusion for Canada and Mexico could be ended, if talks stall to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. 
 
 The people were not authorized to discuss details in advance and spoke on condition of anonymity. 
 
 ___ 
 
 1:30 p.m. 
 
 The White House says President Donald Trump will sign orders to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Thursday afternoon. 
 
 The president suggested earlier Thursday he would provide temporary exemptions for Canada and Mexico as he aims to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement. 
 
 Trump also suggested Australia and "other countries" might be spared. 
 
 The announcement comes amid a last-minute lobbying effort to blunt the impact of tariffs. 
 
 Trump has said the U.S. will be "very fair" but "very flexible" and "protect the American worker." 
 
 ___ 
 
 11:50 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is suggesting that Australia and "other countries" may be exempted from steel and aluminum tariffs, along with Mexico and Canada. 
 
 Trump says he's sticking with his initial plan for import tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum. But the president says, "We're going to be very flexible." 
 
 His comments in a Cabinet meeting Thursday come hours before a 3:30 p.m. meeting to formalize the tariffs amid uncertainty in the West Wing over which countries will be exempted from the protectionist measure. 
 
 Trump is expected to delay the imposition of tariffs on Canada and Mexico to turn up the pressure in negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement. 
 
 ___ 
 
 8 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump says he'll hold an afternoon meeting on the steel and aluminum industries. 
 
 Trump tweeted Thursday: "Looking forward to 3:30 P.M. meeting today at the White House. We have to protect & build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military." 
 
 The president did not say whether he will sign tariffs on steel and aluminum imports at the meeting. The White House has not yet clarified the tweet. 
 
 The White House said Wednesday that Mexico, Canada and other countries may be spared from tariffs under national security "carve-outs." 
 
 ___ 
 
 12:22 a.m. 
 
 The White House says Mexico, Canada and other countries may be spared from President Donald Trump's planned steel and aluminum tariffs under national security "carve-outs," a move that could soften the blow amid threats of retaliation by trading partners and dire economic warnings from lawmakers and business groups. 
 
 Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters the exemptions would be made on a "case by case" and "country by country" basis, a reversal from the policy articulated by the White House just days ago that there would be no exemptions from Trump's plan. 
 
 The update came as congressional Republicans and business groups braced for the impact of expected tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum, appearing resigned to additional protectionist trade actions as Trump signaled upcoming economic battles with China.
– As expected, President Trump signed off on steel and aluminum tariffs Thursday at the White House, CNBC reports. Trump says a 25% tax will apply to steel imports, and 10% will be added to aluminum brought into the US, the AP reports. Trump says the excess of imported steel and aluminum is a "travesty" and hurts American workers and industry and that the US industry has been "ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices. ... It's really an assault on our country." The tariffs will take effect in 15 days, with Canada and Mexico indefinitely exempted. Trump, who announced the tariffs while surrounded by steelworkers, says he is fulfilling a key campaign promise. American steel and aluminum workers have been betrayed, he said, but "that betrayal is now over."