On Thursday, Donald Trump announced revisions to tariffs imposed on steel, aluminum, and copper imports on national security grounds, aiming to streamline compliance, reduce duties on certain derivative products, and curb manipulation of import values.
According to a statement from the White House and a senior administration official, the United States will maintain a 50 percent tariff on imports of the three metals under Section 232 of the Trade Act of 1974. The tariff will be applied based on prices paid by US buyers, although the mechanism for determining final costs remains unclear.
Officials said the move addresses concerns that some importers were undervaluing shipments to reduce customs duties, Al-Rai daily reports.
Under the revised measures, derivative products containing less than 15 percent steel, aluminum, or copper by weight will be exempt from the 50 percent tariff. This change effectively removes duties on low-metal-content items such as aluminum-capped perfume bottles and small steel dental floss containers.
In addition, tariffs on certain industrial and electrical grid equipment that rely heavily on these metals will be reduced from 50 percent to 15 percent through 2027, in a bid to accelerate industrial expansion.
The adjustment follows pressure from steel producers seeking relief on machinery imports, particularly equipment manufactured in Germany and Italy.
