Taxes, tariffs & trade

April 10, 2025

NAFEM informs and represents its members on the complex issues of U.S. taxes, tariffs, and trade, advocating for open and fair policies and rules that maximize market opportunities and cost-effective supply chain sourcing.

Tariff resources

While NAFEM regularly updates this resource page, we recommend regular communication with your customs broker for up-to-the-minute tariff information relative to your business and its products.

U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs

• Steel and aluminum products – regardless of country of origin – are subject to a uniform 25% Section 232 (national security) tariff. No extensions or exclusions apply, effective March 12.
• For steel and aluminum imports from China, tariffs are cumulative, including the above 25% from March 12 + International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs of 10% from March 4, 2025 and 10% from Feb. 1, 2025 (see below).
• Following are useful documents addressing steel imports:
  • Federal Register notice re: steel imports effective March 12U.S. Customs and Border Protection Guidelines
  • Summary of all Section 232 tariffs
• Following are useful documents addressing aluminum imports:
  • Federal Register notice re: aluminum imports
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection Guidelines Customs

U.S. covered steel and aluminum derivative products (part of the Section 232 national security tariffs)

• Covered steel derivative products and Guidance on determining valuation of steel and steel derivative products
• Covered aluminum products and Guidance on determining valuation of aluminum and aluminum derivative products

Additional U.S. tariffs:

• Effective April 9, imports from all countries are subject to a minimum 10% tariff.
• Imports from China are subject to a 125% tariff.
  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted a message exempting certain electronic products, items and components from the IEEPA reciprocal tariffs. The exemptions are applied based on HTS codes included in the link.
• Imports from Canada and Mexico
  • 25% tariff on imports of all products of Canada and Mexico.
  • Energy products, which includes aluminum, are reduced to a 10% tariff.
  • Automobile production and products qualifying under the USMCA are exempt.
  • Items that qualify for US-Mexico-Canada Agreement duty-free treatment are exempt from the 25% tariff.

Additional U.S. investigations

• Despite possessing ample copper reserves, America’s smelting and refining capacity lags far behind global competitors. President Trump initiated a Section 232 investigation to assess U.S. national security risks arising from the country’s increasing dependence on imported smelted and refined copper. Findings are due Nov. 22. 
• A similar Section 232 investigation is underway for imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products. According to the White House, “current United States softwood lumber industry has the practical production capacity to supply 95% of the United States’ 2024 softwood consumption. Yet, since 2016 the United States has been a net importer of lumber.” Findings are due Nov. 26. 
• Following a Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting dominance in the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, the U.S. Trade Representative proposed significant service fees on China-bult vessels upon entrance to U.S. ports. NAFEM, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and 100+ others advocated against the proposal that would increase shipping costs, raise prices and decrease exports and imports.

Canada’s response

• Canada’s Government Website on Engagement with the U.S. on Tariffs and Trade
• Canada World Trade Organization dispute complaint regarding U.S. tariff measures
• Canada’s Retaliatory Tariffs for U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs (March 13)

China’s response

• China unveiled retaliatory tariffs of 84% on imports of US goods (April 9)

The E.U. response

• European Union Response to US Steel & Aluminum Tariffs (March 11)

Global Market Access and Conformity Guide

NAFEM’s newly updated resource to assist in the identification of international certifications. The Global Market Access and Conformity Guide provides certification contact information for fuel type, region and other data points to reduce research time. While this tool is updated periodically, we encourage companies to take all steps necessary to confirm and verify information for your specific products and market needs.

Additional resources

• White House website
• U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Questions?

Contact advocacy@nafem.org