Trump appears all but certain to act earlier in his second term than he did in his first, when he waited a full year before slapping tariffs on foreign-made washing machines and solar panels. He has threatened to impose tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 while suggesting that Europe, Russia, Brazil, India and several other countries could also see their goods taxed.

But with his top trade-related officials still awaiting Senate confirmation, Trump will probably wait to act until the April 1 deadline for completion of the multipart trade review.