Trump doubles steel and aluminium tariffs to 50%

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, raising them from 25% to 50%. 

This marks the second such increase since March, as part of efforts to bolster the domestic metals industry.

The new tariffs target materials critical to sectors ranging from automotive production to food packaging. Trump defended the move as essential to securing the future of American steel.

The United Kingdom has been granted an exemption, with its steel and aluminum exports continuing to face the original 25% tariff. Trump cited ongoing trade negotiations with the UK as the reason for the exemption.

The United States is the world’s second-largest steel importer after the European Union, sourcing mainly from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea, according to government statistics.

Trump had first imposed 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminum during his initial term, invoking national security grounds. However, various imports later received exemptions through trade deals and company waivers—many of which were revoked in March.

Speaking at a rally at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania, Trump vowed to make foreign competition unviable. “At 50%, they can no longer get over the fence,” he declared.

U.S. steel imports dropped 17% in April compared to March, and industry analysts predict even steeper declines following the new tariff hike.

Meanwhile, Canada and the European Union have prepared retaliatory responses in reaction to the earlier tariff increases in March.