Despite domestic and international fears over the grim possibility of a trade war, President Donald Trump has made it clear that he will press ahead with his plan to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminium to protect American industry and workers.

“No we’re not backing down,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, shortly after Speaker Paul Ryan voiced Republican concerns, with his spokesperson saying, “We are extremely worried about the consequences of a trade war.”

Disagreeing, Trump shot back, “I don’t think you’re going to have a trade war.” The comment was seen as a slight moderation after his assertion last Friday that “trade wars are good and easy to win” for America which, he asserted, lost billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with.

“People have to understand, our country, on trade, has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world, whether it’s friend or enemy -- everybody. China, Russia. And take people that we think are wonderful -- the European Union -- we can’t do business in there. They don't allow it. They have trade barriers that are worse than tariffs. They also have tariffs, by the way, but they have trade barriers far worse than tariffs,” Trump said, adding: “If they want to do something, we’ll just tax their cars that they send in here like water.”

Sticking to his position that the US has been losing $800 billion a year because of the “unfair” trade deals, Trump said: “Not going to happen. We got to get it back. And, of course, the biggest problem -- the biggest problem is China. We lost $500 billion. How previous Presidents allowed that to happen is disgraceful. But we’re going to take care of it.”

Trump also came down hard on Mexico and Canada, saying the US was saddled with a “very bad” trade deal with both under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “For many years NAFTA has been a disaster. We are renegotiating NAFTA, as I said I would. And if we don’t make a deal, I’ll terminate NAFTA,” he said, renewing one of his campaign pledges.

In defence of Trump’s announcement last week that he would slap a 25 per cent import duty on steel and 10 per cent duty on aluminium, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sander said told reporters: “The president believes in free, fair and reciprocal trade, and hopes other countries will join him in pursuing that goal.”

As for the concerns within Trump’s own party, highlighted by the public comment of Speaker Ryan, Sanders commented: “We have a great relationship with Speaker Ryan. We’re going to continue to have one, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.”

Trump, who made the trade comments during a joint media appearance with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said he may visit Jerusalem where the new US embassy is slated to be inaugurated in May.

“We’re looking at coming. If I can, I will. Again, Israel is very special to me, special people and I (am) very proud of that decision (to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel),” he said, adding: “Many presidents were discussing whether or not to make that decision, and they promised it in their campaigns but they never were able to do what they should have done so I was able to do it.”

In a Twitter post on Tuesday morning, Trump sought to dismiss the media talk of chaos in the White House, marked by the departure of far too many aides in just about a year of his rule. “Wrong! People will always come & go, and I want strong dialogue before make a final decision. I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection). There is no Chaos, only great Energy!” he tweeted.