In a statement, the White House said it would delay implementation for 30 days. It also said it has reached agreements in principle with Argentina, Australia, and Brazil on steel and aluminum imports.

"In all of these negotiations, the administration is focused on quotas that will restrain imports, prevent transshipment and protect the national security," the White House said.

Indeed, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told steel executives this week that countries granted an exemption will face quotas and other restrictions.

"The guiding principle of this administration, from the president down to his team, is that any country or entity like the European Union, which is exempt from the tariffs, will have a quota and other restrictions," he said, according to Politico.

You can read more about the decision here.