The United States doubled tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday, activating a hike in the duties on the imported metals to 50% from the 25% rate introduced in March. The day also marks the Trump administration’s deadline for trading partners to submit their “best offers” to avoid further steep import duties set to take effect in early July.

Even before Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2nd, the median estimate among the 48 who were surveyed by the University of Chicago’s business school was that Mr Trump’s levies would raise inflation in 2025 by 0.