TOKYO -- The U.S. imposition of controversial import tariffs is "regrettable," said Andrew Mackenzie, CEO of Anglo-Australian mining group BHP Billiton, warning that such action risks sparking a trade war.
Mackenzie said that the tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum that took effect Friday are themselves "not major perturbations to the world economy," given all the exemptions being made to major U.S. trading partners such as the European Union, Canada, Mexico and South Korea.
