USA: Trump strengthens tariffs on aluminum, steel and copper
On 2 April 2026, the White House announced a significant increase in tariffs on imports of aluminum, steel and copper into the United States, as part of a presidential proclamation to protect national security and support domestic industries. These new measures, which came into force on April 6, 2026, represent a major development in U.S. trade policy for these strategic metals.
Now the additional customs duties imposed on aluminium, steel and copper products and their derivatives, apply to the total value of imported products, not only to the metal content. Rates vary according to the nature of the products: up to 50% for articles mainly composed of these metals, 25% for most derivatives, and 15% for certain industrial and electrical equipment until the end of 2027. One notable exception concerns products manufactured abroad but entirely from U.S. metals, which benefit from a tariff reduced to 10%. Finally, articles containing less than 15% of these metals are now exempt from these tariffs.
These adjustments are intended to correct valuation practices deemed too favourable to importers, encourage domestic production and ensure a more equitable use of US metal resources. The decision is part of a strong commitment to strengthen the country's industrial autonomy and to protect jobs in these key sectors, while simplifying the customs regime for US companies.
There are already contrasting reactions to this policy: while steelmakers and some mining players welcome these measures, other sectors, including those dependent on metal imports, express concerns about the impact on their costs and competitiveness. The White House points out that these tariffs are designed to achieve an 80 per cent utilization rate of domestic production capacity, an objective deemed essential for economic resilience and national security.