President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to strengthen tariffs imposed on imported steel, aluminum and copper in order to more effectively address the national-security threat posed by such imports. These new tariffs were announced April 2, 2026.
The Proclamation defines the way that tariffs are assessed, ensuring that they reflect the full value of imported steel, aluminum and copper products –not an artificially low foreign price.
The Proclamation also establishes clear rules for calculating Section 232 metals tariffs.
- Articles made entirely or almost entirely of aluminum, steel or copper will pay a flat 50 percent on their full value – for example, steel coils and aluminum sheet.
- Derivative articles substantially made of steel, aluminum or copper will pay a flat 25 percent on their full value.
- Certain metal-intensive industrial equipment and electrical grid equipment will pay 15 percent through 2027, to accelerate the massive industrial base buildout currently underway across the United States.
- Products made abroad but entirely with American steel, aluminum and copper will be subject to lower tariffs of 10 percent.
- Products made of 15 percent or less steel, aluminum or copper will no longer be subject to Section 232 metals tariffs.
Over 4 million tons of new crude steelmaking capacity is expected to become operational in the next two years, including in West Virginia, Arkansas and South Carolina, with additional investments underway across the country.
New U.S. aluminum and copper smelting is also underway across America. Earlier this year, Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminum announced a joint venture to build the first new aluminum smelter in the United States in decades, in Oklahoma. Companies such as Highland Copper, Ivanhoe Electric, Rio Tinto and Wieland are expanding U.S. copper mining, smelting and fabrication facilities.
This buildout – and the continued health of these vital American industries – is possible through the continued implementation and strengthening of the President’s Section 232 tariff programs. These tariffs ensure domestic producers and workers can compete on a level playing field.
Published April 2026
