US Expands Metal Tariffs

The U.S. government has added 407 more products to its list of goods now facing a 50% tariff if they contain steel or aluminium. Until now, these tariffs mainly applied to raw metals, but the new rules bring a much wider range of products into scope.

Which products are affected?

The expanded list covers a huge mix of everyday and industrial items, including:

• Household goods: cutlery (knives, forks, spoons), fridges, washing machines, ovens, air conditioners.

• Industrial and transport equipment: motorcycles, train locomotives, truck trailers, forklift trucks, bulldozers, wind turbines, cranes, pumps, compressors, railcars, and even furniture.

The change took effect immediately on 18 August 2025.

Why the expansion?

The aim is to stop companies from sidestepping tariffs by importing finished products that still rely heavily on foreign steel or aluminium. U.S. officials say it’s about supporting domestic metal industries and making sure trade rules can’t be easily avoided.

Impact on businesses

For companies moving goods into the U.S., this means:

• Higher import costs on a wide range of products.

• More complicated customs reporting, as firms must now prove the metal content of their goods.

• Potential supply chain changes, with some businesses needing to switch suppliers, rethink materials, or adjust pricing.

These new tariffs bring extra costs and compliance challenges across multiple sectors. Importers, from manufacturers to retailers, will need to check product lists carefully, work with customs specialists, and explore ways to limit the impact.