Trump Cuts Some Steel and Aluminum Derivative Tariffs to 15% to Protect U.S. Manufacturers and Farmers

President Trump lowered tariffs on some aluminum and steel derivative products from 25 percent to 15 percent on Monday. The reductions apply to agricultural equipment and certain heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. Trump initially imposed the 25 percent rate on April 2.

The president acted through a proclamation issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. That statute authorizes the president to restrict imports on national security grounds. Trump first used the provision for aluminum and steel imports in 2018.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recommended the tariff cut. Lutnick cited “recent circumstances” that “have affected and are affecting” domestic industries that use the equipment. ” Aluminum lithographic plates and steel racks remain subject to the original 25 percent tariff on derivative products.

Companies from Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the European Union can qualify for a 10 percent tariff on products composed entirely of aluminum or steel melted and poured in the United States. U.S. content of covered products.

U.S. content as the total value of the product minus the value attributable to parts produced in the United States.

U.S. Imports after the Supreme Court struck down his emergency tariffs earlier this year. U.S. Court of International Trade ruled last month that the administration had improperly used that provision.