Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States

This proclamation imposes a 25% tariff on steel imports from most countries under Section 232 national security authority, effective March 23, 2018, with exemptions for Canada and Mexico pending ongoing negotiations. It also establishes an exclusion process for steel articles not sufficiently produced domestically.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 11625

Impact dates

Mar 23, 2018
tariff takes effect on goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse
Mar 18, 2018
Secretary to issue exclusion request procedures

Key directives

impose 25% ad valorem tariff on steel articles from all countries except Canada and Mexico
effective 12:01 a.m. EDT March 23, 2018
Secretary to issue exclusion request procedures within 10 days
Secretary authorized to grant exclusions for insufficient domestic production or national security considerations
Secretary to continue monitoring imports and review status with other officials
supersede inconsistent prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

tariff announcement and Canada/Mexico exemption

Near term (90d)

tariff takes effect March 23, 2018
exclusion procedures to be issued within 10 days
ongoing negotiations with Canada and Mexico

Long term

potential tariff modification or removal for countries with alternative agreements
ongoing monitoring of steel imports and national security impact
potential for further action under section 232

Risks & tensions

potential for retaliatory tariffs from affected trading partners
risk of transshipment through Canada and Mexico to evade tariffs
tension between national security justification and protectionism concerns
uncertainty for industries dependent on steel imports pending exclusion process
vague criteria for 'satisfactory alternative means' with security partners