Mexico, Canada and the European Union on Tuesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports next month, a move that has fanned fears of a trade war as business and political leaders braced for yet more trade duty announcements from the new administration.

The president’s threats to slap duties on goods imported from the European Union are part of a pattern of directing the harshest penalties at the United States’ closest allies.

If U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his pledge to slap 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico it could usher in a volatile new chapter in the longstanding trade relationship with the impacts hitting consumers.