US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced that the European Union, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and South Korea will be temporarily excluded from the 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum under the Section 232 which is set to go into effect for all other countries Friday, March 23.

According to media reports, Lighthizer told the Senate Finance Committee that the Trump administration would base exemptions on “a certain set of criteria” while continuing to negotiate.

Canada and Mexico were also excluded from tariffs on a temporary basis while Lighthizer continues to renegotiate NAFTA.