Paul Ryan: Trump administration needs to be more ‘surgical’ in approach to tariffs

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday that there’s clearly abuses in the trade of aluminum and steel, but cautioned against sweeping tariffs.

“I think the smarter way to go is to make it more surgical and more targeted,” Mr. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, said during his weekly press conference.

President Trump announced increase in tariffs on aluminum and steel last week based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows for changes to tariffs based on national security. Former President Richard Nixon used the law to tax oil from overseas in the 1970s, but it has not been used since the mid-1990s.

“I think 232 is a little too broad, and I think it’s more prone to retaliation, and so what we’re encouraging the administration to do is to focus on what’s clearly a legitimate problem,” Mr. Ryan said.

He added that congressional leaders have advised the White House to take a more tactical approach to the issue, particularly related to China, to try and prevent collateral damage.

“It should be acknowledged that there is a problem that needs to be addressed here,” Mr. Ryan said.