Due to recent investigations directed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, related with the shrinkage of internal production, increase on imports and alleged national security risks, President Trump issued two presidential proclamations imposing global tariffs to steel and aluminum imports, the highlights of the proclamations are the following:

  • Global tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports were imposed, Canada and Mexico will be temporarily exempt from these measures due to their security relationship with the United States.
  • Other countries may be able to qualify for a modification or removal of the tariffs.
  • The effective date of the tariffs is March 23, 2018

HTS COVERED UNDER THE NEW TARIFFS

Steel articles Aluminum articles
Are defined at the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 6‑digit level as:

-7206.10 through 7216.50

-7216.99 through 7301.10

-7302.10

-7302.40 through 7302.90

-7304.10 through 7306.90

Are defined in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) as:

(a) unwrought aluminum (HTS 7601)

(b) aluminum bars, rods, and profiles (HTS 7604)

(c) aluminum wire (HTS 7605)

(d) aluminum plate, sheet, strip, and foil (flat rolled products) (HTS 7606 and 7607)

(e) aluminum tubes and pipes and tube and pipe fitting (HTS 7608 and 7609)

(f) aluminum castings and forgings (HTS 7616.99.51.60 and 7616.99.51.70

Important to consider

It is important to follow up the possible exclusions for each country and monitor the Re-negotiation process of NAFTA.

The links to review the two presidential proclamations are the following:

Steel articles.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-adjusting-imports-steel-united-states/

Aluminum articles.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-adjusting-imports-aluminum-united-states/

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.