On Monday President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on steel and derivative imports from key countries—including Canada, Mexico, and the EU—will return starting March 12. Initially imposed in 2018 to safeguard national security, the tariffs had temporarily eased under trade agreements that proved ineffective, as steel imports surged again.
The U.S. Commerce Department reported increased imports, particularly from nations with exemptions, undermining domestic steel production and depressing capacity utilization below the target 80%. China’s overproduction and steel transshipment through other countries exacerbated the issue.
The administration will remove product exclusions and intensify monitoring to prevent tariff evasion. This policy shift aims to stabilize U.S. steel output and mitigate risks to national security.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].