Steel/Aluminum tariffs continue to impact trade partners; exclusion request process opens

Issue Overview

While the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from Canada and Mexico were removed in May, they continue for numerous countries. Twenty-five percent tariffs on steel currently impact all countries except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Ten percent tariffs on aluminum currently impact all countries except Argentina, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

U.S. companies can apply for tariff exclusions if steel and aluminum products they require are not produced in the U.S.: “(1) in sufficient and reasonably available amount, (2) satisfactory quality, or (3) there is a specific national security consideration warranting an exclusion.” Effective June 13, the Department launched a new Section 232 exclusion portal to streamline the process. Exclusion requests submitted prior to June 13 will continue to be addressed via www.regulations.gov.

It is important that elected officials hear from NAFEM members impacted by tariffs. Find your Congressional representatives and their contact information here.

NAFEM’s Position

On behalf of the organization, NAFEM President Joe Carlson issued the following statement:

Our world has become too small and supply chains too complex to think that tariffs are the only acceptable solution to solving differences. Tariffs are taxes paid directly and indirectly by U.S. consumers, not foreign companies or governments. They reduce the profits of U.S. companies, hurt good-paying local manufacturing jobs, and unnecessarily increase costs by raising prices for products used by American families. None of these situations help grow a strong, U.S. economy.

NAFEM continues to urge the administration to quickly work toward a solution that does not include tariffs that ultimately hurt companies, manufacturing workers and consumers across North America.

Additional Information

Issue Brief – June 25, 2019