Bahrain Mirror: Akhbar Al-Khaleej daily said that Bahrain has called to exempt it from a US decision to impose new tariffs on the aluminum and steel industry. Last week US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on imported steel and 10pc on aluminum aimed at saving the US steel industry and cutting its deficit.

"Aluminum is Bahrain's top export to the US, representing 61pc of all goods exported from Bahrain to the US in 2017," said American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham) Bahrain president Qays Zoghbi.

He added that the size of aluminum export significant is to Bahrain's economy, but is considered a very small percentage of the total aluminum imported by the US worldwide. "Bahrain and the United States enjoy a very good relationship. We remain optimistic that Bahrain, being a key strategic ally of the US and a host to the US Fifth Fleet, as well as beneficiary of the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement will be given due consideration for an exemption on the proposed tariffs," he further stated.

The US Embassy did not respond when contacted by the Gulf Daily News in this regards.

All countries affected by proposed US tariffs on steel and aluminum have been invited to negotiate exclusions from the measures, which will take effect within 15 days after U.S. President Donald Trump signs proclamations the Associated Press reported.

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