President Trump’s upcoming tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are being welcomed by some U.S. industries, particularly those in the steel sector. The measures aim to level the playing field for American manufacturers and workers, who claim they have been harmed by unfair trade practices.
Steel and aluminum makers say tariffs will help them invest more in their businesses, leading to increased production capacity. Century Aluminum’s CEO Jesse Gary stated that the new tariffs will “close loopholes” and enable his company to begin investing again, bringing on more production in the U.S.
The Steel Manufacturers Association’s Philip Bell said Mexican companies have been importing cheap steel from China and selling it as if produced in Mexico, prompting the need for stricter trade measures. Canadian steel companies reject accusations of unfair trade practices, while unions support the tariffs but criticize President Trump’s targeting of Canada.
Industry analysts note that U.S. companies may struggle to replace imported steel with domestic production due to capacity constraints. However, some see the move as a step towards reviving the primary aluminum industry, which was largely dominated by China prior to Mr. Trump’s first administration implementing Section 232 tariffs.
The U.S. aluminum industry is divided on the new tariffs, partly due to American companies having plants in Canada that would be affected. The Aluminum Association’s Charles Johnson expressed concerns about a reliable source of Canadian metal supporting domestic jobs and investments.
As steel and aluminum prices may rise due to the tariffs, companies could pass costs on to consumers or find substitutes. President Trump’s administration is reviewing grants under the Inflation Reduction Act for Century Aluminum’s plans to build a new primary aluminum smelting plant.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/business/economy/trump-tariff-supporters.html