U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks with founder Fred Tontarski, left, and his son, co-Owner Daniel Tontarski during a tour of Fabco Roof & Floor Trusses on Wednesday in Watertown. (Photo — Daytona Niles, Watertown Daily Times)

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik sent out a statement Thursday condemning the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on metals imported from the United States’ closest neighbors and allies.

Tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum from the European Union, Canada and Mexico, which together supply nearly half of the United States’ imported metal, took effect at midnight, according to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

“I strongly oppose these tariffs on our nation’s closest economic partner, Canada,” reads the statement from Stefanik, who had announced her opposition to the tariffs when they were proposed. “If President Trump wants to target Chinese steel dumping, he should target tariffs at China and not at our friends to the North. The shared production of goods by the U.S. and Canada actually makes our goods more competitive in global markets against China and others.”

“Congresswoman Stefanik does not support these added tariffs, including for the EU and Mexico,” spokesman Tom Flanagin said in an email. “She views these tariffs as added taxes that will be passed on to consumers.”

In trying to create leverage in trade negotiations by keeping its trading partners guessing, the administration sowed an atmosphere of chaos among allies as well as manufacturers uncertain about the ultimate effect on their vast supply chains. On Thursday, the Trump administration said it hoped to continue to negotiate with the affected countries, creating further confusion among business owners and foreign leaders.

After the metal tariffs were first announced in March, the countries targeted on Thursday secured temporary exemptions while the administration continued to negotiate with Canada and Mexico over the North American Free Trade Agreement and with European officials over other trade-related matters.

Mark Goodfellow, president of United Steelworkers Local 420 in Massena, said he’s pleased with the development.

“Very happy with it, actually, everybody but Canada,” he said. “I have a little bit of an issue with Canada.”

Goodfellow said China has been circumventing tariffs by dumping steel in Mexico or other countries and then exporting it, tariff-free, to the U.S. He is opposed to free trade for metals, citing the decline in the American steel and aluminum industry.

“It is a bad idea,” he said.

Asked whether the cost to other businesses that use imported metals or could be hit with retaliatory tariffs is worth the boost to the domestic metal industries, Goodfellow said he is unsure.

“I guess I’m being self-centered and saying yes,” he said, before adding, “I don’t know how to answer that question.”

The tariffs are being imposed under a legal measure related to protecting U.S. national security. The Trump administration has argued that imports have weakened the country’s industrial base and, by extension, its ability to produce tanks, weapons and armored vehicles. The administration argument that the tariffs fall under a national security dispensation has been derided by Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, who said that Europe would pursue a case before the World Trade Organization.

Goodfellow said the exemption is reasonable.

“I can’t imagine us going to war with someone in Europe,” he said. “[But] as a country, we have to be prepared to do what we have to do.”

Flanagin did not respond to a question about Stefanik’s view of the national security argument but did say she does not want the tariffs repealed by the WTO.

“She believes these tariffs are unnecessary and should be removed by the Trump Administration, not international court,” he wrote.

Mexico announced retaliatory tariffs Thursday, targeting imports from the United States that include flat steel, lamps, pork products and prepared meat products, apples, grapes, cranberries and cheeses — goods chosen for maximum impact in areas that have supported Trump. The EU announced tariffs on bourbon and blue jeans.

Stefanik, in her statement, specifically highlighted the danger of tariffs on cross-border trade with Canada.

“Imposing these tariffs will raise prices on businesses in our district that use steel and aluminum,” her statement read. “Furthermore, as a Northern Border district, I am concerned that these tariffs could incentivize Canadian firms in our district to leave, or possibly incentivize Canada to impose harmful tariffs on our own products. Thousands of manufacturing jobs in the North Country are directly tied to Canada and cross-border supply chains, including more than 8,500 in the transportation equipment sector alone.”

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With reporting from Times wire services.