OAN Staff Lillian Mann
5:20 PM – Thursday, April 9, 2026
President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation updating the U.S. tariff structure for imported steel, aluminum, and copper. This move is specifically designed to address national security concerns regarding the country’s reliance on foreign-sourced metals.
By increasing taxes on these raw materials, the Trump administration aims to incentivize domestic manufacturing and encourage businesses to “buy American.”
The White House anticipates this shift to bolster economic independence and stimulate job growth across the country — with a particular focus on revitalizing the industrial sectors in West Virginia, Arkansas, and South Carolina.
Brandon Farris, the executive vice president of the Steel Manufactures Association (SMA), told Fox News that “President Trump has done more for the 87,000 men and women who make America’s steel than any President in modern history.”
According to the details, the updated policy establishes a tiered tax structure: a 50% tariff applies to raw materials like steel coils and aluminum sheets, while derivative products — items containing significant metal but not composed of it entirely — carry a 25% tax.
Additionally, a reduced 15% rate has been set for industrial and electrical grid equipment to accelerate the development of domestic factories and power systems. However, this lower rate is a temporary measure scheduled to expire in 2027.
“Today’s proclamation builds on previous actions taken by President Trump that strengthen national security while uplifting the economic position of American workers, families, and communities,” The White House wrote.
The new policy incentivizes the use of domestic materials by offering a “discount” to companies that manufacture goods abroad using 100% American steel, aluminum, and copper. If a product is verified to use only American-sourced metals, the import tax drops to 10%, providing a significant reduction from the standard 25% or 50% rates.
“Through the strategic use of tariffs, President Trump has, among other things, brought hundreds of billions of dollars back to the American people and promoted foreign investment in American commerce and American workers,” the White House Fact Sheet added.
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