FURTHER ADJUSTING THE TARIFF REGIMES FOR IMPORTS OF ALUMINUM, STEEL, AND COPPER INTO THE UNITED STATES

President Donald J. Trump has issued a major Proclamation adjusting the Section 232 tariff regimes on aluminum, steel, and copper. This action is designed to provide economic relief to American farmers and builders while further incentivizing the use of American-poured metals in global supply chains.The Proclamation, signed on June 1, 2026, modifies previous orders to account for the "vital role" that heavy machinery plays in the ongoing reindustrialization of the United States.The President determined that current high tariffs on derivative metal products were impacting domestic industries essential to the national interest. Consequently, he has expanded the category of products subject to a temporarily reduced 15% ad valorem duty:Agricultural Equipment: Combines, harvesters, and other farming machinery.Residential HVAC: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and components predominantly for home use.Mobile Industrial Equipment: Bulldozers, forklifts, and material-handling equipment used in factory logistics.In a move to strengthen domestic primary metal producers (smelters and mills), the Proclamation creates a "gold standard" for imported finished goods:Lowered Threshold: To qualify as being made "entirely" from American metal, a product must now contain at least 85% U.S. melted and poured or smelted and cast metal by weight (down from the previous 95% threshold).Preferred Rate: Products meeting this 85% American-metal requirement will qualify for a significantly lower 10% duty rate.The Proclamation establishes a tiered system for imports depending on their country of origin:Canada and Mexico (USMCA): A 25% duty applies only to the non-U.S. content of the product (the total value minus the value of U.S.-made parts). However, the total effective duty cannot fall below a 15% floor.Allied Nations (EU, Japan, UK, etc.): The Section 232 duty is adjusted so that the total duty paid (standard plus 232) equals 15%. If the standard duty is already 15% or higher, the Section 232 duty is zero.General Rate: For other nations, the standard Section 232 duty for these categories is set at 25%.To ensure that foreign producers do not bypass these protections, the Secretary of Commerce identified two specific products to be added to the tariff coverage:Aluminum Lithographic PlatesSteel RacksSubjecting these to derivative tariffs ensures the national security purpose of the aluminum and steel programs is not undermined by "short-sighted globalist trade policies."Effective Date: The new rates take effect at 12:01 a.m. on June 8, 2026.Duration: These specific modified rates are temporary and will remain in effect until December 31, 2027.Reversion: On January 1, 2028, the rates are scheduled to revert to the levels established in Proclamation 11021.Conclusion:The administration characterizes this Proclamation as a "common-sense adjustment" that supports the American farmer and builder while maintaining a "level playing field" for U.S. steel and aluminum workers. By lowering the threshold for "American-made" content, the President aims to force global manufacturers to invest more deeply in the U.S. industrial base.1. Immediate Relief for Agriculture and Industry2. The "Buy American" 10% Incentive3. Specific Rules for Trade Partners (USMCA and Others)4. Preventing Circumvention5. Timeline and Implementation