The U.S. Department of Commerce gave a recommendation to President Donald Trump that he impose stiff trade regulations on steel and aluminum imports.

U.S. media reports that the department submitted its recommendation to the White House on Friday calling for high tariffs or import quotas on steel and aluminum products.

The measures appear to mainly target China and Brazil but South Korean steel is also included.

The recommendation followed a survey ordered by President Trump in April last year into the impact on national security of steel and aluminum imports.

If the imports are deemed as a threat to national security, regulations can be imposed. 

In a news conference, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said his department reached the conclusion that the quantities and circumstances of steel and aluminum imports "threaten to impair national security." 

The secretary recommended three alternative remedies --- a global tariff of at least 24 percent on all steel imports from all countries; a tariff of at least 53 percent on all steel imports from 12 countries which include South Korea, with a quota on imports from all other countries; or a quota for all countries equal to 63 percent of their respective 2017 exports to the U.S.

Trump is required to make a decision on steel by April eleventh and on aluminum by the 19th.