Donald Trump corrected by steelworker after he assumes his father is dead in embarrassing gaffe

Martin Coulter9 March 2018

Donald Trump was corrected by a steelworker after the US President assumed his father was dead in an embarrassing gaffe.

The US president told steelworker Scott Sauritch that his father would be looking down with pride before he quickly quipped back: "He's still alive."

Mr Sauritch, president of the United Steelworkers Union, was speaking at an event hosted by the US president on Thursday, in which he told reporters his father had lost his job in the steel industry.

Mr Trump's gaffe came as Mr Sauritch stepped off-stage, saying: "Your father, Herman, is looking down. He's very proud of you right now."

Blunder: Donald Trump assumed Scott Sauritch's father was dead
AP

Mr Sauritch, looking confused, replied: "Oh, he's still alive," to roars of laughter from the audience.

Mr Trump responded: "Oh, he is?" Covering his mouth, he said: "Well then he's even more proud of you."

The misunderstanding took place at a press conference designed to outline the president's new tariffs on imported steel and aluminium.

The tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium temporarily exempt the country's "real friends" Mexico and Canada.

Mr Trump faced a global backlash when he announced the tariffs earlier this month.

EU leaders warned the US may face "retaliatory action" while Australia's trade minister Steven Ciobo said the tariffs would distort global trade and ultimately cost jobs.

He said: "My concern remains that on the back of actions like this we could see retaliatory measures that are put in place by other major economies. That is in no-one's interest."

The tariffs are due to come into effect within the next two weeks.

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