NEW YORK, March 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday as investors were waiting for more specifics about President Donald Trump's tariff plan on steel and aluminum imports.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 8.44 points, or 0.03 percent, to 24,892.56. The S&P 500 increased 6.99 points, or 0.26 percent, to 2,733.79. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 27.41 points, or 0.37 percent, to 7,424.06.

The White House hinted on Wednesday that Canada and Mexico could be exempt from the tariff plan proposed by Trump, who is expected to release more details on his tariffs later on Thursday.

The stock market was under pressure on Wednesday as Trump's chief economic advisor Gary Cohn resigned from his post.

Cohn, a "globalist" within the White House, has been mounting a last-ditch attempt to head off the tariff plan on steel and aluminum.

Analysts said Cohn has been seen as a voice of reason in a White House that is seemingly in constant turmoil and he opposed the implementation of those tariffs. His departure raised concerns about a potential trade war in the near future. Enditem