S. Section 232 tariff regime on steel, aluminum, and copper imports, continuing the Trump administration's efforts to strengthen domestic metal production and close perceived loopholes in existing trade measures.
The latest announcement follows a series of Section 232 actions that have already raised U.
S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products and expanded coverage to a broader range of processing products.
Tariffs will be applied to the full customs value
One of the most significant changes is that Section 232 duties will now apply to the full customs value of coated steel, aluminum, and copper products, rather than just the value of the metal content in these products. The administration stated that the change is aimed at simplifying law enforcement and preventing underestimation of the value of metals.
The White House argued that exporters used valuation techniques to reduce duty obligations and that applying tariffs to the full value of imported goods would increase the effectiveness of the measures.
50 percent tariffs remain for primary steel and aluminum products
Under the revised system, primary steel and aluminum products still face the problem of a 50% tariff when they are made entirely or almost entirely from coated metals. Meanwhile, many derivative products containing significant amounts of steel, aluminum, or copper are subject to a 25 percent tariff on their full customs value.
The proclamation encourages foreign companies to use more U.
S. steel and aluminum, allowing them to qualify for a 10 percent duty rate if their main equipment includes at least 85 percent of U.
S.-produced, bottled, or cast steel or aluminum by weight. The tariff changes are temporary and will last until December 31, 2027, to encourage short-term investments that will restore the country's industrial base.
Measures aimed at stimulating the production of metals in the United States
The White House said that the revised tariff structure is intended to:
- strengthen domestic production,
- encourage investments in steel, aluminum, and copper production in the United States,
- reduce dependence on imports,
- support national security objectives.
