US expands 50% tariffs on steel-, aluminum-based goods as new rules take effect

• US extends 50% tariffs to 407 more metal products
  
  
• Derivative goods with steel or aluminum now impacted
  
  

The Trump administration announced on 15 August that it will significantly broaden the application of its 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by including hundreds of derivative products containing these metals. Starting 18 August, the new duties will apply to 407 additional product codes added to the US Harmonised Tariff Schedule, as detailed in a notice from the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security.

These newly added products, which include various goods incorporating steel or aluminum, will now be subject to the 50% tariff based solely on their metal content. Any non-metal components of these products will continue to be taxed under existing tariffs, which vary by country of origin, the notice clarified.

Originally, President Donald Trump imposed Section 232 tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum on 8 March 2018. Since the beginning of his second term on 20 January 2025, these tariffs have been frequently increased and expanded.

On 12 March, the aluminum tariff was raised from 10% to 25% across all countries, and exemptions for steel imports were removed, establishing a uniform 25% tariff globally.

On 3 June, the administration doubled Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and their derivatives to 50%, effective the next day. Further expansion came on 16 June, when the US extended the 50% rate to household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines containing steel components, with enforcement starting 23 June.

In a related move, US Customs and Border Protection issued a directive on 13 June requiring importers of derivative aluminum products to declare the country of smelt and cast. Importers failing to comply by 28 June now face an additional 200% duty.