The US Commerce Department has increased steel and aluminum tariffs on more than 400 imported products, including wind turbines, appliances, and railcars. The move applies a 50% tariff to the steel content of these products and the country rate on non-steel components.
The new tariffs cover over $200 billion worth of imports last year and are expected to raise the overall effective tariff rate by around 1 percentage point. They also include parts for electric vehicles, buses, air conditioners, and appliances such as refrigerators and dryers.
Automakers including Tesla had urged the department not to add certain components to the list, citing a lack of domestic capacity to handle current demand. However, Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler said the move will support the continued revitalization of the American steel and aluminum industries.
The new tariffs take effect immediately and also cover compressed air equipment, aerosol cans, and other personal care packaging. Steelmakers had petitioned the administration to expand the tariffs to include additional auto parts, which are now included in the list.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-hikes-steel-aluminum-tariffs-imported-appliances-railcars-ev-parts-2025-08-19