Trump's promised steel and aluminium tariffs go into effect

NEW YORK (AP) — US President Donald Trump hiked nearly all of his tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to a punishing 50 per cent on Wednesday in a move that's set to hammer businesses from automakers to home builders, and likely push up prices for consumers even further.

Foreign-made steel and aluminium is used in household products like soup cans and paper clips, as well as big-ticket items like stainless-steel refrigerators and cars.

Economists warn that such heightened levies could significantly squeeze the wallets of both companies and shoppers alike. But Trump argues that his latest import taxes are necessary to protect US industries.

The 50 per cent tariffs went into effect just after the clock struck midnight on Wednesday. The two metals had previously faced 25 per cent tariffs worldwide since mid-March, when Trump's order to remove steel exemptions and raise aluminium's levy from his previously-imposed 2018 import taxes went into effect.

Steel and aluminium from the UK is the exception. British imports of these metals are still levied at 25 per cent, per a proclamation issued by Trump on Tuesday afternoon, which pointed to a recent trade deal reached between the two countries.

Trump says it's all about protecting US industries. He reiterated that argument on Friday, when he first announced the 50 per cent tariff on imported steel during a visit with steelworkers in Pennsylvania, where he also discussed a "planned partnership" between US Steel and Japan's Nippon Steel.

In his speech at US Steel's Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant in suburban Pittsburgh, Trump said that the tariff hike would "further secure the steel industry in the US." Shortly after, he took the same tone when sharing plans to also raise tariffs on imported aluminium.

In Tuesday's proclamation, Trump also said that the higher tariffs would ensure that imported steel and aluminium would "not threaten to impair the national security."

"In my judgment, the increased tariffs will more effectively counter foreign countries that continue to offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminium in the United States," he said in the proclamation.

While some analysts have credited the tariffs Trump imposed during his first term with strengthening domestic production of steel and aluminium, many others have warned that stark new levies can make it difficult for the industry to adjust.

Some organisations representing metal workers also note that tariffs aren't the only solution needed to boost US manufacturing.

"While tariffs, used strategically, serve as a valuable tool in balancing the scales, it's essential that we also pursue wider reforms of our global trading system," David McCall, international president of the United Steelworkers union said in a statement, noting that work must be done "in collaboration with trusted allies" like Canada — the top exporter of steel and aluminium to the US — to help "contain the bad actors."

Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association, added that the trade group "appreciates President Trump's continued focus on strengthening the US aluminium industry," but that "tariffs alone will not increase US primary aluminium production."

"We also need consistent, predictable trade and tariff policy to plan for current and future investment," Meenan said.

Meanwhile, the American Primary Aluminum Association, which advocates for stronger trade enforcement, applauded Trump's latest tariff increase on foreign aluminium.

"For decades, subsidised foreign producers have hollowed out domestic aluminium manufacturing," APAA President Mark Duffy said in a statement, calling Trump a "strong leader who is fighting to rebuild domestic manufacturing and protect thousands of American aluminium jobs."

Steel prices have already climbed 16 per cent since Trump became president in mid-January, according to the government's Producer Price Index. And as of March 2025, steel cost $984 a metric ton in the US, significantly higher than than in Europe ($690) or China ($392), per the US Commerce Department.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.