Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum imports will stay in place even as the Trump administration suspends separate proposed tariffs on Chinese goods.

The framework of a deal that emerged from trade talks in Washington last week only involves holding off on up to $150 billion in potential tariffs on technology and other products, Mnuchin told a Senate panel.

"As it relates to China, the steel and aluminium tariffs will remain enforced," he said. "Those were not part of our discussions. We were merely focused on the proposed $150 billion."

"Those are not being touched," he added.