Trump signs order doubling steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%

Impact expected to be felt in domestic supply chain, analysts and insiders say

U.S. President Donald Trump has said tariffs will help bolster the American steel and aluminum industry. (Source photos obtained by Nikkei)

AZUSA KAWAKAMI and RYOHEI YASOSHIMA

June 4, 2025 07:06 JST

WASHINGTON -- U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are set to double to 50% on Wednesday, a levy the Trump administration says will safeguard the American steel industry from inexpensive imports.

On Tuesday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation for the tariff hike -- up from 25% announced in March -- to take effect on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern time. The U.K. is exempt from the increased levy.