WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday evening imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The proclamations raise the tariff rate on aluminum imports to 25%, a hike from the previous 10% that Trump imposed in 2018, as well as a 25% tariff on steel imports and aluminum imports that were previously entering the United States duty-free through quota deals, product exclusions, and exemptions.
“This is a big deal,” the president told pool press gathered in the White House on Monday evening, “making America rich again.”
Trump’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Peter Navarro, told reporters on a press call Monday afternoon that the president is “standing up for American steel and aluminum workers like no other leader has.”
“The steel and aluminum tariffs 2.0 will put an end to foreign dumping, boost domestic production, and secure our steel and aluminum industries, the backbone and pillar industries of America’s economic and national security,” he said.
White House officials similarly stressed that Trump’s actions restore America’s fuel and aluminum industries and put “an end to the exploitation and circumvention that has hurt American workers.”
“With these tariffs, the days of foreign nations gaming our trade system are over,” said one White House official.
“The Trump 2.0 tariffs are a direct response to the failed policies of the Biden administration, which allowed China, Russia, and many of our allies like Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the EU to manipulate trade and cripple U.S. industry,” said another. “These measures will revitalize domestic production and safeguard critical industries.”
