In a pair of Presidential1 Proclamations2 recently released, beginning June 1st, the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum from members of the EU, Mexico and Canada. These duty requirements are effective with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, at midnight eastern time on June 1st.Exemptions are currently in place for Argentina, Brazil and Australia.BACKGROUND:On March 8, 2018, the President issued Proclamations 9704 and 9705 on Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862), providing for additional import duties for steel mill and aluminum articles, effective March 23, 2018. See the Federal Register, 83 FR 11619 and 83 FR 11625, March 15, 2018.On March 22, 2018, the President issued Proclamations on Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States. See the Federal Register, 83 FR 13355 and 83 FR 13361, March 28, 2018. On April 30, 2018, the President issued Proclamations 9739 and 9740 on Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States. See the Federal Register, 83 FR 20683 and 83 FR 20677, May 7, 2018.On May 31, 2018, the President issued Proclamations on Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States.These duty requirements are effective with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018.COMMODITY:Steel mill and aluminum articles, as specified in the Presidential Proclamations. COUNTRIES COVERED BY SECTION 232 IMPORT DUTIES:Please note that the Section 232 measures are based on the country of origin, not the country of export.Steel:As of June 1, 2018: All countries of origin except Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and South Korea.Aluminum:As of June 1, 2018: All countries of origin except Argentina and Australia. The Statement from the White House can be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-approves-section-232-tariff-modifications-2/The Two Presidential Proclamations can be found here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-adjusting-imports-aluminum-united-states-4
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-adjusting-imports-steel-united-states-4Retaliatory measures can be expected from affected countries.