Trump is scheduled to sign an executive order that would impose a 25 per cent tariff on import of steel and another 10 per cent on aluminium.
His announcement of increase of tariffs last week, drew a sharp reaction from Americas major trading partners, including the EU and Canada.
Trump's decision sparked trade tensions with China which threatened to not "sit idly by" if the US tries to hurt its economic interests.
The president believes in free, fair and reciprocal trade, and hopes other countries will join him in pursuing that goal, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.
More From This Section
Not only other countries, but also Trumps own party has been opposing such a tariff increase. Prominent among them include the House Speaker Paul Ryan.
The president has been committed and talked about this for many years, particularly on the campaign trail, and the people came out loud and clear and supported this president therefore supporting the policies that he campaigned on, she said.
Sanders said Trump wants to make sure that the administration is doing everything it can to protect American workers and to protect industries like the steel and aluminum industry that are so important to the country.
Trump, earlier in the day said that he is not backing down.
President's ultimate goal is to get free, fair and reciprocal trade. And, if China wants to come to the table and play ball and make some significant changes, then I think we'd be open to those conversations. But, at this point, we haven't seen an indication of that taking place, Sanders said in response to another question.