President Donald Trump issued a proclamation to overhaul his steel, aluminum and copper tariffs, adjusting how duties are applied to imports of the raw metals and downstream products containing the metals.
The president imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum in March 2025 over national security concerns, and in the months following, hiked them to 50% and expanded the scope to include hundreds of finished products that are made from the metals, known as “derivatives." The moves raised costs for agriculture and construction input producers and providers, including across machinery and construction.
Under the new rules, which went into effect April 6, goods made almost entirely of aluminum, steel or copper, including steel coils and aluminum sheets, will face a 50% tariff for the value of the item.
However, derivative articles “substantially made” of steel, aluminum or copper will incur a 25% levy, according to a White House fact sheet. Such goods include steel cooking appliances, silverware, diesel-engine trains and semi-trailer hauling trucks.
Trump clarified that lower tariff rates will apply for steel and aluminum products from the United Kingdom. Such goods will face a 25% tariff if made almost entirely of the metals while derivative goods will face a 15% levy. Trump also said that the new rules did not alter or supersede prior agreements with trading partners such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.