101 - The Secretary of Commerce
New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Aim to Boost American Manufacturing, Says Commerce Secretary
In recent days, the Secretary of Commerce has been at the forefront of significant trade policy changes, particularly with the implementation of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. On February 10, 2025, President Trump signed Proclamations 10896 and 10895, which impose a 25% tariff on all steel imports and increase tariffs for aluminum products and certain derivative products from 10% to 25%, effective March 12, 2025[1][2].
These proclamations expand the list of derivative and downstream products subject to the Section 232 tariffs, which were initially introduced during the first Trump Administration and continued under the Biden Administration. The new tariffs apply to a broader range of products, including those classified in various chapters of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), such as Chapters 73 for steel and Chapter 76 for aluminum, as well as additional chapters for downstream products[1].
A key aspect of these changes is the termination of all existing general approved exclusions and country-specific exemptions effective March 12, 2025. This means that imports of steel and aluminum articles from countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom will now be subject to the additional ad valorem tariffs. The Secretary of Commerce has been instructed to establish a process within 90 days to expand the list of products included in the derivative product list and to create a mechanism for U.S. producers and industry associations to request further additions[1][2].
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has defended these tariff actions, emphasizing that they are aimed at protecting American workers and industries. Lutnick argued that the tariffs are necessary to ensure the U.S. does not rely on foreign countries for critical materials like steel and aluminum, which are deemed essential for national security. He also addressed concerns about inflation, attributing price increases to monetary policies rather than the tariffs themselves[4].
The implementation of these tariffs has also led to modifications in the HTSUS, with the U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with relevant executive departments and agencies, revising the tariff schedule to conform to the new amendments. These changes were published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2025, and will be periodically updated as more details are announced by the Secretary of Commerce[1].
Overall, the Secretary of Commerce is playing a crucial role in reshaping U.S. trade policies, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors, with a focus on bolstering domestic production and ensuring national security. These actions reflect a broader strategy to strengthen American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports.
These proclamations expand the list of derivative and downstream products subject to the Section 232 tariffs, which were initially introduced during the first Trump Administration and continued under the Biden Administration. The new tariffs apply to a broader range of products, including those classified in various chapters of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), such as Chapters 73 for steel and Chapter 76 for aluminum, as well as additional chapters for downstream products[1].
A key aspect of these changes is the termination of all existing general approved exclusions and country-specific exemptions effective March 12, 2025. This means that imports of steel and aluminum articles from countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom will now be subject to the additional ad valorem tariffs. The Secretary of Commerce has been instructed to establish a process within 90 days to expand the list of products included in the derivative product list and to create a mechanism for U.S. producers and industry associations to request further additions[1][2].
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has defended these tariff actions, emphasizing that they are aimed at protecting American workers and industries. Lutnick argued that the tariffs are necessary to ensure the U.S. does not rely on foreign countries for critical materials like steel and aluminum, which are deemed essential for national security. He also addressed concerns about inflation, attributing price increases to monetary policies rather than the tariffs themselves[4].
The implementation of these tariffs has also led to modifications in the HTSUS, with the U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with relevant executive departments and agencies, revising the tariff schedule to conform to the new amendments. These changes were published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2025, and will be periodically updated as more details are announced by the Secretary of Commerce[1].
Overall, the Secretary of Commerce is playing a crucial role in reshaping U.S. trade policies, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors, with a focus on bolstering domestic production and ensuring national security. These actions reflect a broader strategy to strengthen American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports.
- Broadcast on:
- 13 Mar 2025
In recent days, the Secretary of Commerce has been at the forefront of significant trade policy changes, particularly with the implementation of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. On February 10, 2025, President Trump signed Proclamations 10896 and 10895, which impose a 25% tariff on all steel imports and increase tariffs for aluminum products and certain derivative products from 10% to 25%, effective March 12, 2025[1][2].
These proclamations expand the list of derivative and downstream products subject to the Section 232 tariffs, which were initially introduced during the first Trump Administration and continued under the Biden Administration. The new tariffs apply to a broader range of products, including those classified in various chapters of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), such as Chapters 73 for steel and Chapter 76 for aluminum, as well as additional chapters for downstream products[1].
A key aspect of these changes is the termination of all existing general approved exclusions and country-specific exemptions effective March 12, 2025. This means that imports of steel and aluminum articles from countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom will now be subject to the additional ad valorem tariffs. The Secretary of Commerce has been instructed to establish a process within 90 days to expand the list of products included in the derivative product list and to create a mechanism for U.S. producers and industry associations to request further additions[1][2].
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has defended these tariff actions, emphasizing that they are aimed at protecting American workers and industries. Lutnick argued that the tariffs are necessary to ensure the U.S. does not rely on foreign countries for critical materials like steel and aluminum, which are deemed essential for national security. He also addressed concerns about inflation, attributing price increases to monetary policies rather than the tariffs themselves[4].
The implementation of these tariffs has also led to modifications in the HTSUS, with the U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with relevant executive departments and agencies, revising the tariff schedule to conform to the new amendments. These changes were published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2025, and will be periodically updated as more details are announced by the Secretary of Commerce[1].
Overall, the Secretary of Commerce is playing a crucial role in reshaping U.S. trade policies, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors, with a focus on bolstering domestic production and ensuring national security. These actions reflect a broader strategy to strengthen American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports.
These proclamations expand the list of derivative and downstream products subject to the Section 232 tariffs, which were initially introduced during the first Trump Administration and continued under the Biden Administration. The new tariffs apply to a broader range of products, including those classified in various chapters of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), such as Chapters 73 for steel and Chapter 76 for aluminum, as well as additional chapters for downstream products[1].
A key aspect of these changes is the termination of all existing general approved exclusions and country-specific exemptions effective March 12, 2025. This means that imports of steel and aluminum articles from countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom will now be subject to the additional ad valorem tariffs. The Secretary of Commerce has been instructed to establish a process within 90 days to expand the list of products included in the derivative product list and to create a mechanism for U.S. producers and industry associations to request further additions[1][2].
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has defended these tariff actions, emphasizing that they are aimed at protecting American workers and industries. Lutnick argued that the tariffs are necessary to ensure the U.S. does not rely on foreign countries for critical materials like steel and aluminum, which are deemed essential for national security. He also addressed concerns about inflation, attributing price increases to monetary policies rather than the tariffs themselves[4].
The implementation of these tariffs has also led to modifications in the HTSUS, with the U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with relevant executive departments and agencies, revising the tariff schedule to conform to the new amendments. These changes were published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2025, and will be periodically updated as more details are announced by the Secretary of Commerce[1].
Overall, the Secretary of Commerce is playing a crucial role in reshaping U.S. trade policies, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors, with a focus on bolstering domestic production and ensuring national security. These actions reflect a broader strategy to strengthen American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports.