President Donald Trump said Sunday the U.S. would levy a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports beginning today. Monday evening he made good on the threat.
“This is a big deal,” the president said, “the beginning of making America rich again.”
All foreign steel and aluminum imports, regardless of the country of origin, will be subject to the tariffs.
The tariff declaration includes what White House officials called a “Melt and Pour” standard for steel in North America and a “Smelt and Cast” standard for aluminum in North America, administration officials said. The standards intend to prevent countries such as Russia and China from sending steel to Mexico or Canada, having it relabeled and then shipped to the U.S. to avoid tariffs.
White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served in Trump’s first administration as the director of the White House National Trade Council, said, “President Trump is standing up for American steel and aluminum workers like no other leader has. Steel and aluminum tariffs 2.0 will put an end to foreign dumping, boost domestic production and secure our steel and aluminum industries as the backbone and pillar industries of America’s economic and national security.”
Since Trump first took office in 2016, Canada has surpassed China as the leader in steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. By going through with the tariffs, the president broke a pledge with Canada and Mexico in which he said all tariffs between the companies would be suspended at least 30 days pending review.
By a large margin, Canada is the largest supplier of primary aluminum metal to the U.S., Reuters reported. Canada accounted for 79% of total imports in the first 11 months of 2024.
Canada Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne responded to the news, saying Canadian steel and aluminum support critical industries in the U.S. including defense, shipbuilding and auto manufacturing. He said the existing trade relationship between Canada and the U.S. made North America “more competitive and secure,” and the government would continue to stand up for Canada, its workers and its industries.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the potential move.
“This is the next four years,” Ford said. “Shifting goalposts and constant chaos, putting our economy at risk.”
Reuters reported that U.S. steel mill capacity use jumped above 80% in 2019 after Trump’s initial tariffs. Since then, capacity use fell as China’s global sector dominance pushed down steel prices. A Missouri aluminum smelter revived by the tariffs during Trump’s first term was idled last year by Magnitude 7 Metals.
