Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), today applauded the actions taken by President Trump to ensure the continued effectiveness and durability of the Section 232 steel tariffs.
Section 232 tariffs were initially imposed at 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports on March 18, 2018, during the President's first term. Trump. term. The trade measures, formulated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, were designed to protect the U.S. steel and aluminum industries from imports considered a threat to U.S. national security. Continued problems with global low-cost steel overcapacity, largely from China, led Trump to double import tariff levels to 50 percent on June 4, 2025, the level at which they remain today.
These measures will ensure the efficient and effective operation of the steel tariff program and the long-term sustainability of Section 232 tariffs, which remain essential to addressing the negative impacts of global excess manufacturing capacity steel, which continues to increase due to foreign subsidies and other trade-distorting practices,” Dempsey said.
“AISI thanks President Trump for his continued strong and unwavering support of the steel industry in the United States. Today's action will help protect the integrity of the steel tariff program, preserve domestic capacity, and stimulate additional investment in U.S. steel production and downstream processing. AISI supports today's announcement and is committed to working with the Trump Administration and other industry stakeholders to continue to develop effective solutions that will ensure a level playing field for American steelworkers and manufacturers,” he said.
