Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs: What Importers Need to Know

What Is the Section 232 Tariff on Steel, Aluminum, and Copper?

The Section 232 tariff is a national security surcharge on imported steel, aluminum, and copper under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. As of June 2025, the tariff rate is 50% on all steel imports and 50% on all aluminum imports into the United States, raised from 25% by presidential proclamation. The sole exception is the United Kingdom, which maintains a 25% rate under a bilateral arrangement. Copper was added to the Section 232 regime in August 2025 under Proclamation 10962, carrying a 50% tariff on copper articles including pipes, wires, rods, sheets, tubes, fittings, cables, and connectors (HTS Chapter 74). Section 232 authority has since expanded further to cover semiconductors (January 2026) and pharmaceuticals (April 2026). These rates apply on top of any base MFN duty, Section 301 tariff, Chapter 99 reciprocal tariff, or antidumping/countervailing duty - making total duty exposure on a covered shipment significantly higher than the Section 232 rate alone.

Which Countries Are Exempt from Section 232 Tariffs?

As of February 2025, no countries are fully exempt from Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. Presidential Proclamation 10896, signed February 10, 2025, eliminated all remaining country-specific exemptions and quota arrangements that had previously applied to the EU, the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, and Ukraine [1]. Prior to this proclamation, several countries operated under tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) that allowed a defined volume to enter duty-free. Those arrangements no longer exist.

The one notable exception: when the global rate was raised to 50% in June 2025, the United Kingdom retained a 25% rate under a bilateral arrangement. All other countries face the full 50% Section 232 rate on steel, aluminum, and copper.

TL;DR: Section 232 now imposes a 50% tariff on all steel, aluminum, and copper imports into the United States (25% for the UK under a bilateral arrangement). Copper was added in August 2025. A tiered rate structure introduced on April 2, 2026 applies rates of 50%, 25%, 15%, or 10% depending on product type and domestic content, with duty now assessed on full customs value rather than metal content value alone. Section 232 has also expanded to semiconductors (25%, January 2026) and pharmaceuticals (up to 100%, April 2026). The tariff covers HTS Chapters 72, 73, 74, and 76, plus derivative articles and new Chapter 99 subheadings. Section 232 stacks on top of base duty, Section 301, Chapter 99 reciprocal tariffs, and AD/CVD orders - meaning total duty rates on steel from certain countries can far exceed 100%. Importers must account for the full tariff stack when calculating landed costs.

Last updated: April 2026

The Legal Basis: How Section 232 Works

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. Section 1862) authorizes the President to impose tariffs, quotas, or other trade restrictions on imports that threaten to impair national security. The Secretary of Commerce conducts an investigation to determine whether a particular class of imports poses a national security threat. If the investigation concludes that imports do threaten national security, the Secretary transmits a report to the President, who then has 90 days to decide whether to take action [2].

For steel and aluminum, the Commerce Department completed its investigations in January 2018. The steel report found that imports threatened national security because the domestic steel industry was operating at approximately 73% capacity utilization - below the 80% threshold considered necessary to sustain production during a national emergency [3]. The aluminum report found that primary aluminum smelting capacity had declined from 23 operating smelters in 1993 to just five in 2017 [3].

President Trump signed Presidential Proclamation 9705 (steel) and Proclamation 9704 (aluminum) on March 8, 2018, imposing a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports, effective March 23, 2018 [4]. As stated in Proclamation 9705: "The Secretary found that the quantities and circumstances of steel articles imported into the United States threaten to impair the national security as defined in section 232" [4].

The aluminum tariff was subsequently raised from 10% to 25% by Presidential Proclamation 10896 on February 10, 2025, bringing it into parity with the steel rate [1]. In June 2025, both the steel and aluminum rates were raised again to 50% by proclamation, applying globally with the exception of the United Kingdom, which retained the 25% rate under a bilateral arrangement [9].

What Products Are Covered by Section 232?

The Section 232 tariff now covers steel, aluminum, copper, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, organized across multiple HTS chapters plus derivative articles and new subheadings in Chapter 99.

Section 232 Tariff Rates by Product Category

Product Category	HTS Coverage	Section 232 Rate	Effective Date
Carbon and alloy steel	Chapter 72 (flat-rolled, bars, rods, wire, angles, shapes, sheet piling, rails)	50% (25% for UK)	June 2025 (raised from 25%)
Steel articles	Chapter 73 (tubes, pipes, fittings, structures, containers, wire products, fasteners, springs, stoves, sinks, housewares)	50% (25% for UK)	June 2025 (raised from 25%)
Copper and copper articles	Chapter 74 (pipes, wires, rods, sheets, tubes, fittings, cables, connectors)	50%	August 2025 (Proclamation 10962) [10]
Aluminum and aluminum articles	Chapter 76 (unwrought aluminum, bars, rods, wire, plates, sheets, foil, tubes, pipes, structures)	50% (25% for UK)	June 2025 (raised from 25%)
Steel derivative articles	Chapter 99, Subchapter III (nails, tacks, staples, bumper stampings, certain downstream products)	50% (Annex I-A) or 25% (Annex I-B)	April 2, 2026 tiered structure [11]
Aluminum derivative articles	Chapter 99, Subchapter III (aluminum foil for packaging, certain downstream products)	50% (Annex I-A) or 25% (Annex I-B)	April 2, 2026 tiered structure [11]
Copper derivative articles	Chapter 99 (select copper derivatives)	25% (Annex I-B)	April 2, 2026 [11]
Advanced computing chips (semiconductors)	HTS 9903.79.01–09	25%	January 15, 2026 [12]
Patented pharmaceuticals and ingredients	Chapters 29 and 30 (APIs, key starting materials)	15%–100% (varies by country and onshoring status)	July 31 / September 29, 2026 [13]

The derivative articles category requires close monitoring. The Commerce Department periodically expands the list of derivative products subject to Section 232 to prevent circumvention - where foreign producers perform minimal processing to reclassify material under an HTS code not covered by the original proclamation. Presidential Proclamation 10895 (January 2025) added additional derivative steel articles to the covered list [5]. As of April 2, 2026, Commerce and USTR have rolling authority to add new derivative articles without a new presidential proclamation [11].

GingerControl's AI Classifier identifies whether a product falls under Section 232-covered HTS codes - including derivative articles in Chapter 99, copper articles in Chapter 74, semiconductor classifications, and pharmaceutical headings - so importers know before shipment whether the Section 232 tariff applies and at what rate.

April 2, 2026: Tiered Rate Structure and Full Customs Value

On April 2, 2026, a major overhaul proclamation titled "Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper Into the United States" restructured Section 232 tariffs with a tiered rate system and a critical change to the valuation basis [11].

Full Customs Value Now Applies

Previously, Section 232 duties on derivative articles were assessed on the metal content value - the value of the steel, aluminum, or copper component within the finished article. Under the April 2, 2026 proclamation, duties are now assessed on the full customs value of the imported article. This is a significant cost increase for importers of derivative products where the metal component represents a fraction of the total value. A manufactured assembly with $10,000 in steel content but a $50,000 customs value will now owe Section 232 duty on the full $50,000.

Tiered Rate Structure

Rate	Applies To
50%	Primary metal articles (steel, aluminum, copper) and Annex I-A derivatives
25%	Certain copper articles and select derivatives listed in Annex I-B
15%	Metal-intensive industrial and electrical grid equipment (transitional rate through December 31, 2027)
10%	Derivatives made entirely with U.S.-smelted, -cast, or -poured metal
Exempt (0%)	Products with 15% or less steel, aluminum, or copper content by value

The 15% transitional rate for grid equipment is designed to avoid supply chain disruption for electrical infrastructure projects during a period of domestic capacity build-out. It expires December 31, 2027, after which the standard tiered rates apply.

Filled Metal Containers

Section 232 authority now extends to filled metal containers - including canned goods and other products sold in steel, aluminum, or copper packaging. This means the tariff applies not just to the empty container but to the imported article as packaged, assessed at the applicable tiered rate on full customs value [11].

Rolling Authority for Commerce and USTR

The April 2, 2026 proclamation grants Commerce and USTR the ability to add new derivative articles to the covered list on a rolling basis, without requiring a new presidential proclamation. This means the scope of Section 232 can expand at any time through agency action alone [11].

GingerControl's Tariff Calculator reflects the tiered rate structure and full customs value basis, automatically determining the correct rate tier for any covered product and calculating duty on the appropriate valuation basis.

Section 232 Semiconductors (January 2026)

On January 15, 2026, Section 232 authority was extended to advanced computing chips, with a 25% tariff applied under HTS 9903.79.01 through 9903.79.09 [12]. The Commerce Department's investigation found that dependence on foreign semiconductor fabrication - particularly for advanced-node chips - posed a national security risk to defense systems, critical infrastructure, and AI capabilities.

Exemptions are available for chips purchased by U.S. data centers, research and development facilities, and certain other qualifying end uses. Importers claiming exemptions must file documentation of end-use eligibility.

Section 232 Pharmaceuticals (April 2026)

On April 2, 2026, Section 232 was extended to pharmaceuticals, covering active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and key starting materials classified under HTS Chapters 29 and 30 [13]. The effective dates are July 31, 2026 for certain products and September 29, 2026 for others.

Pharmaceutical Tariff Rates

Rate	Applies To
100%	Default rate on patented pharmaceuticals and ingredients
20%	Companies with approved onshoring plans (rises to 100% after 4 years if plan not completed)
15%	Imports from the EU, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein
0%	Companies with a most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing deal and active U.S. manufacturing build
Exempt	Generic pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical tariffs represent the broadest expansion of Section 232 to date, extending the national security rationale to supply chain resilience for critical medicines and their precursor chemicals. The tiered structure incentivizes domestic manufacturing: the 20% rate for companies with onshoring plans is designed as a transition - it escalates to the full 100% rate after four years if the approved manufacturing plan is not completed.

GingerControl's Tariff Calculator covers the full pharmaceutical rate structure, including country-specific rates and onshoring plan eligibility, so importers of APIs and finished dosage forms can model their duty exposure under each scenario.

How Does the Section 232 Tariff Stack With Other Duties?

The Section 232 tariff does not replace other import duties. It stacks on top of them. For steel and aluminum importers, this means the total duty owed on a single shipment can include four or five separate tariff layers, each with its own legal authority and rate.

Full Duty Stack Example: Hot-Rolled Steel Coil from China

Tariff Layer	Legal Authority	Rate	Duty on $100,000 Shipment
Base MFN duty	HTS 7208.51.00	0%	$0
Section 232	Trade Expansion Act of 1962	50%	$50,000
Section 301 (List 1)	Trade Act of 1974	25%	$25,000
Chapter 99 reciprocal tariff	IEEPA	Variable (up to 145% for China as of 2025)	Up to $145,000
Antidumping duty	Tariff Act of 1930, Title VII	Varies by producer (e.g., 265.79% for certain Chinese producers)	Up to $265,790
Countervailing duty	Tariff Act of 1930, Title VII	Varies (e.g., 35.65%–256.44%)	Up to $256,440
Total potential duty	-	Up to 700%+	Multiples of shipment value

This illustrates a worst-case scenario where multiple trade remedy layers overlap. Most steel products from most countries will face a lower combined rate - but the Section 232 tariff of 50% applies to nearly all origins (25% for the UK), and importers must verify which additional layers apply to their specific product and source country.

GingerControl's Tariff Calculator covers the full U.S. tariff stack: base duty, Section 232, Section 301, Chapter 99, and Section 122 reciprocal tariffs across 200+ countries. A single query returns the complete duty breakdown for any HTS code and origin combination, so compliance teams can see the full cost exposure before committing to a purchase order.

What Happened to Country Exemptions and Quotas?

When the tariffs were first imposed in March 2018, the President granted temporary exemptions to the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and South Korea. Over the subsequent months, these exemptions were either revoked or converted into tariff-rate quota (TRQ) arrangements - negotiated caps on import volume, below which steel or aluminum could enter duty-free.

Country Exemption / Quota Status Timeline

Country or Bloc	Original Status (2018)	Status 2019–2024	Current Status (2025–)
Canada	Exempt (then TRQ)	Exempt under USMCA agreement (May 2019)	Full 50% tariff - exemption revoked Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
Mexico	Exempt (then TRQ)	Exempt under USMCA agreement (May 2019)	Full 50% tariff - exemption revoked Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
European Union	Exempt (then TRQ)	TRQ arrangement (Jan 2022)	Full 50% tariff - TRQ terminated Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
United Kingdom	Exempt (then TRQ)	TRQ arrangement (Mar 2022)	25% tariff - bilateral arrangement retained when global rate rose to 50% [9]
Japan	Exempt (partial)	TRQ on certain steel products (Apr 2022)	Full 50% tariff - TRQ terminated Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
Australia	Exempt	Exempt (unlimited, steel only)	Full 50% tariff - exemption revoked Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
South Korea	TRQ	TRQ on steel	Full 50% tariff - TRQ terminated Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
Brazil	TRQ	TRQ on steel and aluminum	Full 50% tariff - TRQ terminated Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
Argentina	TRQ	TRQ on steel	Full 50% tariff - TRQ terminated Feb 2025, rate raised June 2025 [1][9]
All other countries	Full tariff	Full tariff	Full 50% tariff (25% for UK)

The February 2025 proclamation represented a sweeping change to Section 232, followed by the June 2025 rate increase to 50%. The stated rationale was that TRQ arrangements had failed to prevent transshipment and that import volumes continued to exceed levels compatible with the national security objectives of the original investigation [1]. The subsequent rate increase further intensified the cost impact for importers who had relied on exemption-eligible sourcing.

For importers who had structured supply chains around TRQ-eligible sourcing - particularly those importing from Canada, Mexico, and the EU - this change significantly increased landed costs overnight. GingerControl's Country Comparison tool allows importers to compare total duty exposure across all sourcing origins, accounting for Section 232, Section 301, Chapter 99 reciprocal rates, and any applicable AD/CVD orders.

How Do You Request a Section 232 Exclusion?

Individual importers can request product-specific exclusions through the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The exclusion process is designed for cases where a specific steel or aluminum product is not produced domestically in sufficient quantity or satisfactory quality.

The process works as follows:

Filing: The importer submits an exclusion request through the Section 232 Exclusions Portal (232exclusions.bis.doc.gov), providing product specifications, HTS classification, country of origin, quantity needed, and business justification.
Public comment period: Domestic producers have 30 days to file objections arguing they can supply the product.
Review: BIS evaluates whether domestic production can meet demand in terms of quantity, quality, and delivery timeline.
Decision: If granted, the exclusion applies retroactively to the filing date and is typically valid for one year.
Renewal: Exclusions must be renewed before expiration - they do not automatically extend.

During the initial years (2018–2019), the Commerce Department received over 100,000 exclusion requests and faced a substantial backlog [6]. Processing times have improved but remain variable depending on whether objections are filed.

GingerControl's Tariff Briefing service tracks changes to Section 232 exclusion policies, including new product categories added to the covered list and shifts in BIS processing timelines, so compliance teams stay ahead of rate changes that affect their supply chains.

Are Section 232 Tariffs Here to Stay?

Section 232 tariffs have now been in effect for over eight years - far longer than many importers initially expected. The Trade Expansion Act of 1962 does not include a sunset provision, meaning the tariffs remain in effect until a future president issues a proclamation modifying or revoking them.

Legal challenges have been brought in the U.S. Court of International Trade and before the World Trade Organization. In American Institute for International Steel v. United States (2020), the Court of International Trade upheld the constitutionality of Section 232, rejecting nondelegation doctrine challenges [7]. The WTO has ruled against the U.S. use of national security justifications, but the U.S. has declined to comply, maintaining that national security determinations are self-judging under GATT Article XXI [8].

The trajectory since 2025 has been rapid and expansive: raising rates from 25% to 50%, eliminating all country exemptions (with the UK as a sole bilateral exception), expanding derivative product coverage, adding copper as a covered metal, extending Section 232 to semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, introducing a tiered rate structure, and shifting the valuation basis to full customs value. Section 232 is no longer a steel-and-aluminum tariff - it is becoming a broad-based national security trade instrument. Importers should plan for Section 232 as a permanent and expanding feature of the U.S. tariff landscape.

GingerControl is a trade compliance AI platform that helps importers, exporters, and customs brokers classify products, simulate tariff costs, and track policy changes. Because Section 232 rates, scope, and covered product categories have changed repeatedly since 2018 - and continue to change - date-sensitive calculation tools covering the full range of metals, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals are essential for accurate compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Section 232 tariff rate on steel?

The Section 232 tariff on steel is 50% ad valorem as of June 2025, raised from 25%. The sole exception is the United Kingdom, which pays 25% under a bilateral arrangement. The rate applies to all other countries of origin with no exemptions. Under the April 2, 2026 tiered structure, derivative steel articles may be assessed at 50%, 25%, 15%, or 10% depending on classification and domestic content, and duty is now calculated on full customs value rather than metal content value. GingerControl's Tariff Calculator includes the current Section 232 steel tariff in every duty stack calculation for covered HTS codes, automatically applying the correct tiered rate.

What is the Section 232 tariff rate on aluminum?

The Section 232 tariff on aluminum is 50% ad valorem as of June 2025, raised from 25% (which was itself raised from the original 10% rate in February 2025). The UK retains a 25% rate. The April 2, 2026 tiered structure applies to aluminum derivatives as well. GingerControl's Tariff Calculator automatically reflects the current 50% aluminum rate and applies the correct tier for derivative articles.

What is the Section 232 tariff rate on copper?

Copper was added to the Section 232 regime in August 2025 under Proclamation 10962, with a 50% tariff on copper articles classified in HTS Chapter 74 - including pipes, wires, rods, sheets, tubes, fittings, cables, and connectors [10]. Under the April 2, 2026 tiered structure, certain copper articles and select derivatives fall under the 25% Annex I-B rate [11]. GingerControl's Tariff Calculator covers copper articles under the Section 232 framework and applies the correct tiered rate.

Are any countries exempt from Section 232 tariffs?

No countries are fully exempt. As of February 2025, all country-specific exemptions and tariff-rate quotas have been revoked. The United Kingdom is the sole exception, paying a reduced 25% rate (vs. the standard 50%) under a bilateral arrangement established when rates were raised in June 2025. All other countries - including Canada, Mexico, the EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Argentina - face the full 50% tariff. GingerControl's Country Comparison tool shows the total duty stack by origin, including the UK's special rate.

Does Section 232 apply on top of other tariffs?

Yes. Section 232 is additive. It stacks on top of the base MFN duty, Section 301 tariffs, Chapter 99 reciprocal tariffs, and any applicable antidumping or countervailing duties. A steel product from China can face a combined duty rate well above 100% before AD/CVD orders are even considered. GingerControl calculates the full duty stack - base, 232, 301, Chapter 99, Section 122, and AD/CVD - in a single request, so there are no hidden cost surprises.

How do I know if my product is covered by Section 232?

Section 232 now covers steel products in HTS Chapters 72 and 73, copper articles in Chapter 74, aluminum products in Chapter 76, advanced computing chips under HTS 9903.79.01–09, pharmaceuticals and APIs in Chapters 29 and 30, and a growing list of derivative articles classified under Chapter 99. The derivative list has expanded multiple times since 2018 and Commerce/USTR now have rolling authority to add new derivatives. GingerControl's AI Classifier determines whether a product falls under any Section 232-covered codes based on the product description and HTS classification, flagging exposure before shipment.

Can I get an exclusion from Section 232 tariffs?

Yes, but the process is product-specific and requires filing through the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security. Exclusions are granted when the specific product is not available domestically in sufficient quantity or quality. Approved exclusions are retroactive to the filing date and typically last one year. For semiconductors, exemptions are available for qualifying U.S. data centers and R&D facilities. GingerControl's Tariff Briefing tracks exclusion policy changes and new product coverage expansions so compliance teams can respond quickly.

How has Section 232 changed since it was first implemented?

Since the original March 2018 proclamations, Section 232 has undergone sweeping changes: rates have risen from 25% to 50% for steel and aluminum, country exemptions have been eliminated (with the UK as a sole bilateral exception), copper has been added as a covered metal, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals have been brought under Section 232 authority, a tiered rate structure has been introduced, and duty is now assessed on full customs value rather than metal content value for derivatives. GingerControl maintains a date-versioned tariff database that reflects every modification, so calculations for any entry date - past, present, or future - return the rate that was actually in effect.

Does Section 232 apply to steel or aluminum in finished products?

The April 2, 2026 proclamation significantly expanded coverage of finished products. Section 232 now applies to filled metal containers (e.g., canned goods) and derivative articles assessed on full customs value. Products with 15% or less steel, aluminum, or copper content by value are exempt. Products made entirely with U.S.-smelted, -cast, or -poured metal qualify for the reduced 10% rate. GingerControl's Classifier checks the primary HTS chapters, the Chapter 99 derivative list, and the tiered rate structure to determine whether a product triggers the Section 232 tariff and at what rate.

Does Section 232 cover semiconductors?

Yes. As of January 15, 2026, a 25% tariff applies to advanced computing chips under HTS 9903.79.01 through 9903.79.09 [12]. Exemptions are available for chips destined for U.S. data centers, research and development, and certain other qualifying end uses. GingerControl's Tariff Calculator includes the semiconductor Section 232 tariff in its duty stack calculations.

Does Section 232 cover pharmaceuticals?

Yes. As of April 2, 2026 (effective July 31 / September 29, 2026), Section 232 covers patented pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and key starting materials under HTS Chapters 29 and 30 [13]. The default rate is 100%, with reduced rates of 15% for imports from the EU, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein; 20% for companies with approved onshoring plans; and 0% for companies with MFN pricing deals and active U.S. manufacturing builds. Generic pharmaceuticals are exempt. GingerControl's Tariff Calculator covers the full pharmaceutical rate structure.

Ready to calculate your full Section 232 duty exposure? GingerControl's Tariff Calculator shows the complete duty stack - base duty, Section 232 (steel, aluminum, copper, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals), Section 301, Chapter 99, and Section 122 - for any product and origin country, with date-sensitive rates and tiered structure logic that reflect the latest proclamations and executive orders.

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References

Presidential Proclamation 10896, "Adjusting Imports of Aluminum and Steel Into the United States," February 10, 2025. Eliminated all country-specific exemptions and tariff-rate quota arrangements; raised the aluminum tariff from 10% to 25%.
Trade Expansion Act of 1962, Section 232, codified at 19 U.S.C. Section 1862. Authorizes the President to adjust imports if the Secretary of Commerce finds that articles are being imported in quantities or under circumstances that threaten to impair national security.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, "The Effect of Imports of Steel on the National Security" and "The Effect of Imports of Aluminum on the National Security," January 2018. Found that steel imports threatened national security due to excess capacity and that domestic aluminum smelting capacity had declined from 23 to 5 operating smelters.
Presidential Proclamation 9705, "Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States," March 8, 2018; Presidential Proclamation 9704, "Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States," March 8, 2018. Imposed a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum, effective March 23, 2018.
Presidential Proclamation 10895, January 2025. Expanded the list of derivative steel articles subject to Section 232 tariffs to address circumvention through minimal processing.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Section 232 Exclusions Portal statistics. Over 100,000 exclusion requests were filed during the first two years of the program.
American Institute for International Steel, Inc. v. United States, U.S. Court of International Trade, No. 18-00152, decided 2020. Upheld the constitutionality of Section 232 against nondelegation doctrine challenges.
World Trade Organization, Dispute Settlement Body, DS544 (United States - Certain Measures on Steel and Aluminium Products). WTO panels found U.S. Section 232 tariffs inconsistent with GATT obligations; the U.S. maintained that national security measures are self-judging under Article XXI.
Presidential Proclamation, June 2025. Raised Section 232 tariff rates on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% globally. The United Kingdom retained the 25% rate under a bilateral arrangement.
Presidential Proclamation 10962, August 2025. Extended Section 232 tariffs to copper articles classified under HTS Chapter 74, including pipes, wires, rods, sheets, tubes, fittings, cables, and connectors, at a 50% rate.
Presidential Proclamation, "Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper Into the United States," April 2, 2026. Introduced tiered rate structure (50%/25%/15%/10%/exempt), shifted valuation to full customs value, extended coverage to filled metal containers, and granted Commerce/USTR rolling authority to add derivative articles.
Presidential Proclamation, January 15, 2026. Extended Section 232 tariffs to advanced computing chips (semiconductors) at a 25% rate under HTS 9903.79.01–09, with exemptions for U.S. data centers, R&D, and qualifying end uses.
Presidential Proclamation, April 2, 2026 (effective July 31 / September 29, 2026). Extended Section 232 tariffs to patented pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and key starting materials under HTS Chapters 29 and 30. Default rate of 100%, with reduced rates for select countries and companies with onshoring plans. Generics exempt.

Last updated: April 2026