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By Amanda Castro and Dan Gooding
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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order doubling tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent, effective June 4, 2025.
The move aims to protect U.S. national security by curbing what the administration describes as a threat from excessively low-priced metal imports that undermine domestic industries.
Trump had said on May 30 that he would double tariffs as he announced that U.S. Steel would be allowed to merge with Japan's Nippon Steel.
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Why It Matters
The order builds on previous tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, with officials citing the need to bolster American steel and aluminum production capacity for economic and defense reasons.
Business leaders have previously expressed anxiety over the plan, warning of increased costs for industries including construction, automotive and transportation, machinery and equipment manufacturing, energy and utilities, as well as producers of appliances and consumer goods.
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What To Know
Trump said in his proclamation that he had "determined that it is necessary" to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum to "more effectively counter" foreign countries that export steel to the U.S. at low prices, undercutting American companies.
The president added that previous tariffs had led to some improvements in U.S. steel prices, the industry was still struggling, and more needed to be done.
Effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, tariffs on steel, aluminum, and their derivatives will be set at 50 percent, up from 25 percent, the proclamation shared by the White House said.
The United Kingdom will not see such a high increase, Trump said, following the trade deal struck on May 8, but the country will still see 25 percent tariffs, as opposed to the 0 percent expected by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Last week, Trump spoke to steelworkers in Pennsylvania, telling them that Japan's Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel would bring $14 billion in investment to the industry, which has suffered from jobs and production moving overseas in recent decades.
The president said the takeover and investment would ensure that U.S. steel remained an American company, with new plants planned in Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas and Minnesota.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, speaking to steelworkers in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, last week: "The foundries and blast furnishes of Pennsylvania have smashed foreign armies, strengthened the halls of the world's greatest Navy, raised up majestic cities, won two world wars and made America into the richest, strongest and most powerful country on the face of the earth, and it's suffered greatly over the last four years, but we're going to get it back, and we've got to get it back fast. It's almost back already."
The Peterson Institute, a non-partisan economic research body, on X, citing one of its researchers Gary Clyde Hufbauer: "With a 50 percent tariff on steel, American steel is going to be less competitive internationally and cost consumers more while adding to steel barons' pockets."
What's Next
Trump's proclamation said that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would continue to monitor the situation, and adjustments would be made accordingly.
Update 06/03/25 5:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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