Blog · Jun 8, 2026
USTR Proposes New Section 301 Tariffs Over Forced Labor Enforcement Failures – Comments Due July 6
Global Trade and Supply Chain
Policy Details
Official titleAdjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States
Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
The issue
As of March 12, 2025, the expanded Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum are now in effect. All imports of steel and aluminum are subject to a 25% tariff, and previous country exemptions and tariff-rate quotas have been eliminated.
The tariffs also apply to certain derivative products based on the steel and aluminum content. The product exclusion process has been terminated, meaning previously approved exclusions are no longer valid.
Impact
Tariff Rate, Effective Date
Countries Subject to the Tariff
Exclusions
Downstream and Derivative Products
Steel Import Data
Aluminum Import Data
Tariff Rate, Effective Date
Under the new order, all imports of steel and aluminum will be subject to a 25% tariff rate, effective March 12, 2025. This represents an increase from the previous 10% tariff on aluminum.
Certain steel and aluminum derivative products are included in the order and subject to the tariff. See “Derivative and Downstream Products” below.
Countries Subject to the Tariff
There are no country exemptions under the new policy. All previous Section 232 steel and aluminum country exemptions and tariff-rate quota deals with Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Australia and others have been eliminated. President Trump is considering exempting Australia from these tariffs due to Australia’s trade surplus with the United States.
According to the proclamation, the removal of country exemptions is due to significant increases in imports from previously exempted countries, which have contributed to oversupply and pricing pressures, negatively impacting U.S. domestic producers.
The largest suppliers of steel to the U.S. by quantity were:
- Canada
- Brazil
- Mexico
The largest suppliers of aluminum to the U.S. by quantity were:
- Canada
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- China
See additional data details below.
Exclusions
The proclamation terminates the product exclusion process which previously allowed U.S. companies to request exclusions for products not readily available from domestic sources. Additionally, previously approved product-specific tariff exclusions are also eliminated.
Derivative and Downstream Products
Tariffs of 25% to be imposed on additional steel derivatives and aluminum derivatives. The additional duty shall only apply to the declared value of the aluminum or steel content of the derivative article. (See below)
Derivative steel products processed in another country from steel articles that were “melted and poured” in the U.S. and derivative aluminum products processed in another country from aluminum articles that were “smelted and cast” in the U.S. are not subject to the 25% tariff.
Refer to the Federal Register notices for the full list of derivative products.
Steel Derivatives Aluminum Derivatives
Value of the Steel and Aluminum Content Outside of Chapters 73 and 76
The value of the steel/aluminum content should be determined in accordance with the principles of the Customs Valuation Agreement, as implemented in 19 U.S.C. 1401a.
Thus, the value of the steel/aluminum content is the total price paid or payable for that content, which is the total payment (direct or indirect, and exclusive of any costs, charges, or expenses incurred for transportation, insurance, and related services incident to the international shipment of the merchandise from the country of exportation to the country of importation) made/to be made for the steel/aluminum content by the buyer to, or for the benefit of, the seller of the steel/aluminum content.
Normally, this would be based on the invoice paid by the buyer of the steel/aluminum content to, or for the benefit of, the seller of the steel/aluminum content.
Steel Import Data
U.S. Imports of Steel Mill Products (Quantity in Metric Tons)
| Country | Total in Last 12 Months (Metric Tons)Mar. 2024 - Feb. 2025 |
|---|---|
| Canada | 5,475,253.32 |
| Brazil | 3,746,872.11 |
| Mexico | 2,911,323.23 |
| South Korea | 2,450,779.47 |
| Vietnam | 1,144,356.81 |
U.S. Imports of Steel Mill Products (Value in U.S. Dollars)
| Country | Total in Last 12 Months (Value in U.S. Dollars)Mar. 2024 - Feb. 2025 |
|---|---|
| Canada | 6,412,766,187.21 |
| Mexico | 3,136,313,329.38 |
| South Korea | 2,768,346,612.98 |
| Brazil | 2,692,100,641.45 |
| Germany | 1,872,578,560.48 |
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Steel Import Monitor
Aluminum Import Data
U.S. Imports of Aluminum Products (Quantity in Metric Tons)
| Country | Total in Last 12 Months (Metric Tons)Mar. 2024 - Feb. 2025 |
|---|---|
| Canada | 4,528,369.4 |
| United Arab Emirates | 545,107.6 |
| China | 299,737.0 |
| South Korea | 295,145.0 |
| Bahrain | 291,576.2 |
U.S. Imports of Aluminum Products (Value in U.S. Dollars)
| Country | Total in Last 12 Months (Value in U.S. Dollars)Mar. 2024 - Feb. 2025 |
|---|---|
| Canada | 13,376,935,960.1 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1,448,962,796.0 |
| China | 1,089,488,214.5 |
| South Korea | 1,068,986,040.6 |
| Bahrain | 781,217,252.4 |
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Aluminum Import Monitor
Tariff status
ModifiedLatest change: Proc. 11045, Further Strengthening Actions Taken To Adjust Imports of Aluminum Into the United States · Jul 20, 2026
- Legal authority
- Section 232, Trade Expansion Act of 1962
- Primary action
- Proc. 10896 (Proclamation) Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States (opens in a new tab)
- Signed
- Feb 10, 2025
- Published
- Feb 18, 2025 · 90 FR 9817
- Latest action
- Proc. 11045 · Jul 20, 2026 Further Strengthening Actions Taken To Adjust Imports of Aluminum Into the United States (opens in a new tab)
- Agency
- Executive Office of the President
Current rates
| HTS heading | Additional duty | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 9903.82.02 (opens in a new tab) | +50% | Except as provided for in headings 9903.82.14, 9903.85.67 and 9903.85.68, articles of aluminum, of steel or of copper and derivative aluminum or steel articles, as provided for in subdivisions (c)(i)–(v) of U.S. note 16 to this subchapter |
| 9903.82.09 (opens in a new tab) | +25% | Except as provided for in headings 9903.82.16, 9903.82.20–9903.82.26 and 9903.85.68, articles of copper and derivative aluminum and steel articles, as provided for in subdivisions (c)(vi)–(viii) and (xi) of U.S. note 16 to this subchapter |
Timeline
Source: Federal Register (opens in a new tab), USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (opens in a new tab) · updated Nov 10, 2026
Additional information
Has your business been impacted by tariffs?
We welcome your feedback to help us better understand and assess the impact of these tariffs on our industry and businesses. Please share with us by contacting Angela Chiang, director, international affairs, at angela.chiang@autocare.org.
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