The U.S. Commerce Department has expanded the scope of its 50pct tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to cover hundreds of derivative products, effective August 18, according to a notice in the Federal Register.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said it has added 407 HS codes to the list of products classified as steel or aluminum derivatives. For these items, Section 232 tariffs under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 will apply to the steel and aluminum content, while non-steel and non-aluminum components will remain subject to reciprocal or other applicable duties.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s June 4 decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all U.S. trade partners to 50pct, with the exception of the United Kingdom, which continues to face a 25pct duty.
