US President Donald Trump said he plans to increase tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25% to 50%. 

"We will impose a 25% increase. We're going to increase it from 25% to 50% - duties on steel in the United States of America, which will further secure the steel industry in the United States," Trump said at a rally in Pennsylvania. 

The doubling of levies on steel and aluminum intensifies Trump's global trade war. The move came just hours after the Republican accused China of violating an agreement with the U.S. to mutually lift tariffs and trade restrictions on critical minerals.

Trump said the tariff increase would help preserve U.S. steel jobs.

He later wrote on social media that the increased duties would also apply to aluminum products and that they would take effect on Wednesday. | BGNES