Trump Says He Plans to Double Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to 50%/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced a tariff hike on imported steel from 25% to 50% during a speech in Pennsylvania. The move coincides with his approval of a $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel, with major investments pledged. Trump claims U.S. Steel will remain under American control, though details remain unclear.
Trump Steel Tariff Hike: Quick Looks
- Trump announces steel tariffs doubling to 50%
- Speaks from U.S. Steel facility in West Mifflin, PA
- Move aims to curb foreign steel imports
- Tariff increase follows legal challenges to other trade powers
- Trump says 50% “stops steel at the fence”
- Confirms greenlight for Nippon Steel’s $14.9B U.S. Steel acquisition
- Claims U.S. will retain control over company operations
- Nippon to invest $14B in U.S. steel infrastructure
- Deal promises no layoffs, $5,000 bonus for workers
- Union leaders demand more transparency and enforceable terms
Deep Look: Trump Approves Nippon Deal, Doubles Steel Tariff to 50%
WEST MIFFLIN, PA — President Donald Trump on Friday announced that his administration is doubling the tariff on foreign steel imports to 50%, up from the 25% he originally imposed during his first term. Speaking at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania, Trump argued the move is critical to defending America’s industrial core and blocking cheap steel imports.
“At 50 percent, they can no longer get over the fence,” Trump said to a crowd of cheering steelworkers at the Mon Valley Works-Irvin Plant.
The announcement coincided with Trump’s endorsement of a controversial $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel, a deal he previously opposed.
Steel Tariff and Legal Context
Trump is now leaning heavily on Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act to enforce the tariff hike, especially after federal courts recently blocked his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broader reciprocal tariffs on countries like China, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite legal hurdles, a third court issued a temporary stay, keeping many of the tariffs in place during the appeals process.
Details on the Nippon Deal
In a major reversal, Trump outlined preliminary terms of the U.S. Steel–Nippon merger, stating the iconic American company would remain under “U.S. control,” though he provided no specific mechanism for ensuring that.
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have done the deal,” Trump said.
He cited a $14 billion investment plan by Nippon Steel, including:
- $2.2 billion in new production for Mon Valley near Pittsburgh
- $7 billion for modernizing plants and expanding mining in Indiana, Minnesota, Alabama, and Arkansas
- Commitments to maintain all blast furnaces at full capacity for at least 10 years
- A $5,000 bonus for every U.S. Steel worker
- No layoffs or outsourcing, according to Trump
Union Skepticism
The announcement received a lukewarm response from the United Steelworkers union, whose leadership previously backed a rival bid by Cleveland-Cliffs and opposed Nippon’s involvement.
USW President David McCall emphasized the need for enforceable worker protections:
“There’s a vast difference between public relations and putting commitments in writing,” he said.
“Any final deal must prioritize workers’ interests, not just shareholder profits or political optics.”
McCall said the union is still awaiting details — including whether the deal includes a “golden share” allowing the U.S. government some control.
Trade Diplomacy Complications
Trump’s decision to ramp up steel tariffs could complicate trade negotiations with key U.S. allies. The EU, Japan, and the U.K. have long sought relief from the 25% duties, which remain in place following Trump’s cancellation of exemptions crafted during the Biden administration.
Despite this, the American Iron and Steel Institute praised the move, citing a 2x increase in Chinese steel exports since 2020.
“This tariff action will help prevent new surges in imports that would injure American steel producers and their workers,” said AISI President Kevin Dempsey.
A Political Reversal
Trump’s approval of the Nippon Steel deal marked a dramatic shift from his earlier promises to block the sale. In January, just after returning to office, he vowed to halt the merger on national security grounds — echoing the Biden administration’s previous opposition.
However, several Republican lawmakers from Pennsylvania and other steel-producing states persuaded Trump that the deal could secure jobs and stimulate investment — especially after Nippon agreed to boost its infrastructure commitments.
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