Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States

President Biden revoked Proclamation 10139, which would have replaced aluminum tariffs on UAE imports with a quota system, maintaining the existing 10% tariff on aluminum from the United Arab Emirates under Section 232 national security authority. The decision preserves tariff treatment established under Proclamation 9704 rather than allowing the amended quota-based approach to take effect on February 3, 2021.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 8265

Impact dates

Feb 3, 2021
Original effective date of Proclamation 10139 modifications (now prevented)

Key directives

Revoke Proclamation 10139 in its entirety including the Annex
Maintain existing tariff treatment on UAE aluminum under Proclamation 9704 as amended
Prevent quota system from taking effect on February 3, 2021

Timeline

Immediate

Revocation of Proclamation 10139 takes effect
Existing 10% tariff on UAE aluminum remains in place
Quota system replacement prevented from taking effect on February 3, 2021

Near term (90d)

Continued tariff collection on UAE aluminum imports
Commerce Department exclusion process continues under existing framework

Long term

Sustained pressure on domestic aluminum production capacity
Potential ongoing trade friction with UAE
Continued reliance on Section 232 tariffs as trade policy tool

Risks & tensions

Reverses last-minute Trump administration policy change; unwinds_prior_admin is true
UAE may seek diplomatic or WTO recourse for continued tariffs
Tension between free-trade allies and national security protectionism
Domestic aluminum users face higher input costs vs. protected producers