WASHINGTON • US President Donald Trump's top economic adviser, Mr Gary Cohn, has said he is resigning after he appeared to be headed for a defeat in an internal struggle over Mr Trump's plan to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Mr Cohn, the National Economic Council director, announced the decision on Tuesday, following Mr Trump's announcement of the proposed tariffs last week.

His resignation leaves the Trump administration with a troika of trade hawks running the US trade policy. But the White House has downplayed reports that he had resigned over more aggressive trade policies.

SEE WORLD