On April 3, Washington (NationPress) saw US President Donald Trump enact a major proclamation imposing dramatic tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and copper, tightening trade regulations under the guise of national security. This directive stipulates that tariffs will be levied on the entire customs value of imported metal products and their derivatives, effectively closing what the administration labeled as loopholes from prior measures.

This action builds upon earlier Section 232 initiatives, during which the US had concluded that increasing imports of essential metals posed a risk to national security.

Under this new framework, most primary steel and aluminum items will incur a 50 percent ad valorem duty, whereas selected derivative products will be subjected to a 25 percent tariff.

Officials indicated that these adjustments aim to ensure that importers pay duties based on actual transaction prices rather than artificially low values.

"We will charge 50 percent of the total value of the steel purchased by US customers in America," a senior administration official explained, detailing the updated methodology.

The official further noted that this new structure intends to eliminate price distortions caused by exporters.

"They were simply lowering it artificially, and we are correcting that because they were effectively deceiving the system," the official stated.

The administration also unveiled a more straightforward framework for derivative products. Items with minimal metal content will be exempt from extra tariffs, while those with significant metal composition will incur a flat duty.

"If it contains considerable amounts of steel, aluminum, or copper… it will carry a straightforward 25 percent tariff," the official mentioned.

Officials argued that this overhaul would simplify compliance and reduce administrative burdens for importers while enhancing enforcement.

The proclamation reports that domestic capacity utilization in aluminum and steel has improved since the original tariffs were enforced, reaching approximately 50.4 percent for aluminum and 77.2 percent for steel.

The administration emphasized that further tightening is necessary to drive utilization closer to the targeted 80 percent and to prevent circumvention through derivative goods.

In addition to the tariff increases, the order empowers US authorities to progressively expand the list of covered products if imports are determined to compromise national security objectives.

Officials maintained that these measures would not significantly impact consumer prices.

"I don't anticipate it will affect affordability," the official remarked, clarifying that the adjustments mainly pertain to trade mechanics rather than retail prices.

The tariffs are set to come into effect on April 6, targeting goods entering the US market from that date.