The U.S. is restoring tariffs on steel and aluminum imports while “dramatically” increasing its oversight to prevent circumvention.

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Feb. 10, 2025, levying 25% tariffs on the metals from all countries. Imports from such countries as Canada, Brazil, Mexico and South Korea previously were duty free.

“It’s 25% without exceptions or exemptions,” he told Reuters. “That’s all countries, no matter where it comes from.”

The tariffs are necessary for national security and to bolster U.S. production, Trump says.

“Steel articles are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States,” the proclamation states. “The initial 25% ad valorem tariff … has been an effective means of reducing imports, encouraging investment and expansion of production by domestic steel producers and mitigating the threatened impairment of U.S. national security.”

The proclamation establishes “Melt and Pour” and “Smelt and Cast” standards for steel and aluminum, respectively. These measures aim to prevent steel- and aluminum-producing countries from sending materials to Canada or Mexico where they are finished, relabeled and shipped to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. In addition, the U.S. will scrutinize metal imports more closely.

Tariffs & the Farrier Industry

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