A new tariff structure will maintain 50% duties on raw metals while cutting rates on finished products to 15-25%, simplifying a complex system that has created significant compliance challenges for importers since last year's expansion.Â
The Trump Administration is reportedly preparing to overhaul its tariff structure for steel and aluminium products, aiming to ease the compliance burden on importers while maintaining protections for domestic manufacturers.
Under the planned changes, raw steel and aluminium imports will continue facing a 50% tariff rate. However, finished products made from these metals—ranging from tractor components to kitchen appliances—will see reduced duties of either 15% or 25%, depending on the specific item.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce the revised policy through an official proclamation, potentially as soon as Thursday, 9 April 2026, reports Reuters.
The restructuring addresses problems created by last year’s tariff expansion, when the administration doubled Section 232 duties to 50% and extended them to thousands of derivative products. That system required importers to calculate the exact steel or aluminium content in each product—a complex process that proved difficult to implement.
The new approach will apply the lower tariff rate to the complete value of imported derivative products, significantly simplifying customs procedures.
Specialised steelmaking equipment, typically imported from Germany and Italy, may qualify for the lowest 15% rate. This category includes items like furnace ladles and rolling-mill machinery made from advanced heat-resistant materials—equipment the administration views as essential for expanding domestic steel production capacity.
The White House has not yet provided official comment on the planned changes.
Earlier, in June 2025, the Trump administration raised tariffs on US imports of steel, aluminium, and related derivatives from 25% to 50%, effective 4 June 2025. Tariffs on imports from the United Kingdom remain unchanged at 25%.
