Trump: 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum products

Trump said that “any steel products imported into the United States will be subject to a 25% tariff”, and the same applies to aluminum products. No target countries were specified, and Japan is also likely to become a target. Trump once said that tariffs on various categories would be introduced in the near future, but it was the first time that the tax rate and specific announcement schedule were disclosed.

On February 9, US President Trump said that a 25% tariff would be imposed on steel and aluminum products imported from the United States. No target countries were specified, and Japan is also likely to become a target. The concerns about the spread of protectionism caused by the accelerated “America First” policy are increasing.

Trump explained to reporters on the presidential plane. He said that “any steel products imported into the United States will be subject to a 25% tariff”, and the same applies to aluminum products.

Trump once said that tariffs on various categories would be introduced in the near future, but it was the first time that the tax rate and specific announcement schedule were disclosed.

Steel and aluminum products also became the targets of tariff protection during Trump’s first administration. In March 2018, the United States imposed tariffs of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminum products, respectively, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, citing national security threats.

Since then, countries such as Mexico and Canada that have signed trade agreements with the United States have been excluded. Japan was allowed to exempt some tariffs on steel products under the Biden administration. When reporters asked whether Canada and Mexico were included this time, Trump replied that “all imported products” would be the target.

Trump said that he would soon announce the introduction of a “reciprocal tariff” system, that is, the United States would also impose the same tariffs imposed by trading partners on American products. He said it might be scheduled for the 11th or 12th, “almost immediately”.

During the campaign, Trump said that he would impose a 60% tariff on China and a general tariff of 10-20% on other countries and regions. In November 2024, after his re-election, Trump announced a 10% tariff on China and a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico.

The Trump administration imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese products on February 4. The Chinese government imposed a maximum 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from the United States from February 10.

On February 1, Trump signed a presidential order to impose a 25% tariff not only on China, but also on Canada and Mexico. According to the agreement reached at the summit, the start of the tariff on Canada and Mexico will be postponed by one month and will be launched on March 4.