Enhancing Domestic Production of Strategic Metals: President Donald J. Trump has signed a Proclamation to amend certain metal tariffs. The goal is to better address national security concerns, encourage investments in U.S. agriculture, housing, and manufacturing, and promote domestic production of related goods.
- The Proclamation lowers the tariffs on agricultural machinery, such as combines and harvesters, as well as other specified equipment, from 25% to 15%.
- It also broadens the existing category of industrial equipment that falls under a 15% tariff to include mobile industrial machinery, like bulldozers and forklifts, when imported from countries part of trade agreements that qualify for such conditions.
- The Proclamation incentivizes foreign companies to incorporate more U.S. steel and aluminum into their products by offering a 10% tariff rate if their capital equipment comprises at least 85% U.S. melted and poured or smelted and cast steel or aluminum by weight.
- These tariff modifications are temporary and will remain in effect until December 31, 2027, encouraging short-term investments to rejuvenate the nation’s industrial base.
Fortifying Essential American Industries: President Trump has implemented tariffs on imported aluminum, steel, and copper to safeguard U.S. national security, boost the resilience of key industries, and protect the financial well-being of American families, communities, and businesses against low-cost foreign imports.
- By 2025, the United States became the world’s third-largest steel producer, surpassing other economies, thanks to President Trump’s Section 232 tariffs program. New steel plants are emerging across the country for the first time in decades, revitalizing steel communities and creating well-paying jobs for American workers.
- Over 4 million tons of new crude steelmaking capacity is expected to be operational within the next two years, with developments in West Virginia, Arkansas, and South Carolina, accompanied by ongoing investments nationwide.
- Investments in U.S. aluminum and copper smelting are ongoing across the country. Earlier this year, Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminum announced a joint venture to construct the first new aluminum smelter in the United States in decades, located in Oklahoma. Companies such as Highland Copper, Ivanhoe Electric, Rio Tinto, and Wieland are expanding their U.S. copper mining, smelting, and fabrication facilities.
- This industrial expansion, alongside the sustained health of these crucial American sectors, is made possible through the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of the President’s Section 232 tariff programs. These tariffs ensure that domestic producers and workers can compete fairly with international producers.
Prioritizing American Production: Today’s initiative builds upon previous actions by President Trump under Section 232 to bolster national security and uplift the economic standing of American workers, families, and communities.
- During his first term, President Trump transformed international trade by employing Section 232 to counteract years of short-sighted, globalist trade policies that had undermined domestic steel and aluminum industries and national security.
- This term, President Trump has continued to take steps under Section 232 to protect and enhance domestic manufacturing critical to national and economic security. This includes imposing tariffs and directing negotiations with trading partners on various goods, such as steel, aluminum, copper, trucks and automobiles, timber, lumber, semiconductors, critical minerals, and pharmaceuticals.
- These measures strengthen essential U.S. industries and the industrial base, secure domestic producers and workers in fair competition, protect American jobs, and bolster national security and public health.
- In May 2026, U.S. manufacturing experienced its fastest growth in four years, marking its fifth consecutive month of expansion and nearly tripling expectations. President Trump’s America First trade policies continue to enhance the economy and national security of the United States.
- Through strategic negotiations and tariff use, President Trump has secured trillions in private and foreign investment, bringing jobs and manufacturing back to the United States and benefiting the American people.
