Trump doubles steel tariffs: New rules come into force next week!

Trump doubles steel tariffs: New rules come into force next week!

US President Donald Trump announced a drastic increase in import tariffs on steel imports on May 30, 2025 at a US Steel Company steel mill in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. These tariffs are to be doubled from 25% to 50% and are scheduled to come into force as early as June 4th. Trump also announced that tariffs on imported aluminum will also be increased to 50%.

In his speech, Trump emphasized that the tariffs were essential to protecting the US steel industry. He stated that the Pennsylvania plant would no longer exist if tariffs had not already been increased during his first term. The president defended his trade policies, which are seen as protectionist, arguing they have already helped American steel companies.

Commercial relationships and legal challenges

His announcement comes as Trump has imposed high tariffs on various industries, including steel, aluminum and automobiles, since returning to the White House in January 2025. The existing tariffs on steel were originally introduced in March of this year and are intended by the US government to be justified by protecting national security.

However, it is not just the tariff increase that is causing excitement. Recently, Trump also threatened additional tariffs of 50% on EU goods, but later withdrew this threat. Likewise, US courts are currently negotiating the legality of Trump's tariffs, which could lead to uncertainty. The steel tariffs are part of a broader trend toward higher tariffs that Trump has announced or already implemented.

International reactions and impact on the market

The announced higher tariffs could further complicate the import of steel products into the USA. Many trading partners, including the EU, are in negotiations with the US to avoid these tariffs. Trump also announced a new penalty of ten percent on almost all imports. These measures and the ongoing trials regarding the legality of the tariffs could have a lasting impact on US trade relations.

Trump is clearly positioning himself as a protective shield for domestic industry while the international reactions to his aggressive trade policies continue to be monitored. The coming weeks are likely to be crucial for US trade policy and the industries affected.