ENHANCING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF KEY METALS: President Donald J. Trump has signed a Proclamation aimed at bolstering tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and copper to more effectively mitigate the national security risks these imports pose.
- This Proclamation redefines how tariffs are calculated, ensuring they are based on the actual value of imported steel, aluminum, and copper products, rather than artificially low foreign prices.
- It introduces specific guidelines for calculating Section 232 metals tariffs.
- Items made predominantly of aluminum, steel, or copper will incur a flat 50% tariff on their full value, such as steel coils and aluminum sheets.
- Derivative articles primarily composed of these metals will face a 25% flat tariff on their full value.
- Metal-intensive industrial and electrical grid equipment will pay a 15% tariff through 2027, promoting extensive industrial development across the U.S.
- Products manufactured abroad but using American steel, aluminum, or copper will be subject to a reduced tariff of 10%.
- Items containing 15% or less of these metals will no longer be subject to Section 232 tariffs.
BOOSTING ECONOMIC AND NATIONAL SECURITY: The enhanced tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper, as reinforced by President Trump, aim to protect the U.S.’s national security and fortify the economic strength of key industries and American workers.
- In 2025, the U.S. became the world’s third-largest steel producer, surpassing competing economies due to the Section 232 tariffs initiated by President Trump. New steel factories are being constructed in the U.S. for the first time in a generation, rejuvenating steel communities and creating well-paying jobs.
- More than 4 million tons of new crude steel capacity are anticipated to be operational within the next two years in states like West Virginia, Arkansas, and South Carolina, with further investments ongoing nationwide.
- New aluminum and copper smelting projects are also progressing across America. Earlier this year, Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminum revealed plans for a new aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, marking the first of its kind in decades. Companies such as Highland Copper, Ivanhoe Electric, Rio Tinto, and Wieland are expanding their copper mining, smelting, and fabrication facilities in the U.S.
- This expansion — and the sustained viability of these vital American industries — is feasible due to the continued enforcement and strengthening of the Section 232 tariff programs. These tariffs ensure a level playing field for domestic producers and workers.
PRIORITIZING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING: The latest Proclamation builds on past measures by President Trump to enhance national security while advancing the economic prospects of American workers, families, and communities.
- During his first term, President Trump transformed international trade by implementing Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, countering longstanding global trade policies that had undermined these domestic industries.
- In February 2025, President Trump issued a significant Proclamation revising steel and aluminum tariffs, eliminating numerous product-specific and country-specific exemptions that had developed in previous years.
- In June 2025, he raised steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%, a level designed to bolster these crucial industries.
- In July 2025, a historic proclamation was issued by President Trump to include copper in the Section 232 tariffs program, matching the 50% rate set for steel and aluminum.
- Through strategic tariff utilization, President Trump has facilitated the return of hundreds of billions of dollars to the American populace and encouraged foreign investments in American trade and workforce.
