President Trump issued a proclamation strengthening Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper by applying duties to the full customs value of imported products and expanding coverage to derivative goods. The policy sets a 50% tariff on primary metal products (e.g., steel and aluminum articles), a 25% tariff on most derivative products, and a temporary 15% rate through 2027 for certain industrial and grid-related equipment, while exempting products with minimal metal content and applying reduced rates to goods made with U.S.-sourced metals. The proclamation also eliminates prior exclusion processes and allows the Trump Administration to add new derivative products to the tariff regime on a rolling basis to prevent circumvention. The changes take effect on April 6, 2026, and are intended to boost domestic production, close loopholes, and strengthen supply chain resilience. A fact sheet on the proclamation is available here.
