SEOUL, Jan 22 (Reuters) - South Korea's Hyundai Steel

said on Wednesday it is considering building a steel

plant in the United States, Yonhap News Agency said.

An executive at the steelmaker said it is actively

considering the matter in an earnings call on Wednesday, which

is seen as a potential response to U.S. President Donald Trump's

strong protectionist policy, Yonhap said.

A spokesperson for Hyundai Steel could not be immediately

reached for comment.

Trump told reporters on Monday that he was considering

imposing 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Feb. 1, and on

Tuesday vowed to hit the European Union with tariffs and said

his administration was discussing a 10% punitive duty on Chinese

imports.