U.S. Announces 25% Tariffs on All Steel and Aluminum Imports

Information has been updated throughout according to the two, newly released Executive Orders: 1. Order on Steel 2. Order on Aluminum

On February 10, President Donald Trump declared that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, notably including countries with preexisting trade deals. This decision is part of the administration's ongoing efforts to address trade imbalances, address national security threats due to the inability of the U.S. to meet demand during emergencies, and strengthen domestic industries. Notably, the tariffs apply to Canada, Mexico, the EU, and other U.S. trade partners. These nations are included following the Administration’s finding that China and others exploited exemptions to evade the tariffs and “weaken the effectiveness of the program.” The tariffs take effect on March 12, 2025.

During President Trump’s first term in 2018, he used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum. The new action keeps the steel tariff at 25 percent but makes it more comprehensive and raises the aluminum tariff to 25%. Both sets of tariffs are more extensive than in 2018, remove all exemptions, and cover derivative products.

Aluminum Tariffs

As noted above, the tariffs this time are broader than those imposed in 2018, due to the Administration’s findings that “aluminum is being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.” As such,

• 25% tariff will apply to imports of steel from all countries. Alternative arrangements (tariff rate quotas, quotas instead of tariffs) are terminated as of March 12, 2025;
• The applicable tariff rate on aluminum products will be increased to 25% on March 12, 2025;
• The Section 232 tariffs are extended to “derivative products” covered by two Annexes (not published with the Proclamation);
• The treatment of derivative aluminum products looks different and more complicated than the “melted and poured” definition included in the steel proclamation and the Annex detailing these products has not yet been released.

Products can be admitted into Free Trade Zones but will be subject to duties when brought into the United States, and drawback is unavailable.

Steel Tariffs

The Proclamation cites a decline in U.S. capacity utilization below 80 percent, increased imports from other countries covered by “alternative arrangements,” and product exclusions covering a “significant volume” of imports where the domestic industry has potential to produce the products as a basis for broadening the tariffs and enacting the following changes:

• 25% tariff will apply to imports of steel from all countries. Alternative arrangements (tariff rate quotas, quotas instead of tariffs) and the temporary exemption for Ukraine are terminated as of March 12, 2025;
• 50% duty on steel from Turkey remains in effect;
• 25% tariff will also apply to “derivative steel articles” listed in an annex and the Commerce Department has 90 days to set up a process to identify more derivative products that should be covered;
• Derivative steel products outside of the U.S. from steel “melted and poured” in the United States are not subject to the 25% tariff;
• The product exclusion process is terminated immediately; and
• Granted product exclusions are in effect until they expire, hit the cap on volume, or March 12, 2025 – whichever is first.

Products can be admitted into Free Trade Zones but will be subject to duties when brought into the United States, and drawback is not available (this has been the practice for 232 duties all along).

Potential Retaliation and Deals

The European Commission has stated that it will retaliate and is expected to have an initial meeting today to discuss.

Press reports suggest that the President has told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that he would “consider” a new tariff exemption for Australia because the U.S. has a trade surplus with them, but no details were discussed. No other countries have been mentioned. 

The administration has indicated that additional import duties may be announced later in the week, signaling a continued focus on reshaping U.S. trade policies.

The White House Fact Sheet is available here.

In the coming days, the RV Industry Association will send a survey to all members to gather information on sourcing to support our advocacy efforts surrounding these and additional tariffs being put in place. We urge all members to take the time to reply to that survey. RVIA will continue to update members as more information is available. For more information, please contact Samantha Rocci, Director of Federal Affairs, at srocci@rvia.org.