The U.S. Department of Commerce is urging the Trump administration to impose heavy tariffs on foreign producers of steel and aluminum... in the name of national security -- though America may end up targeting its close ally, South Korea.<br /> In the report issued Friday, the Commerce Department said one of the options being considered... is a tariff of 53 percent... on steel from 12 countries.<br />Those 12 include China and Brazil... and Korea, but not other traditional U.S. allies like Germany, Japan or Canada, even though Canada is the number-one exporter of steel to the U.S.<br /> An official at South Korea's trade ministry said what the list is actually targeting... is countries that import Chinese steel... and thereby support China's cheap steel exports.<br />Ultimately, President Trump will decide on what course to take -- the alternative proposed to the list of 12 countries... being a global tariff of 24 percent. <br />
