Trade Regulation Updates

On March 8, 2018, by Proclamation 9705, the President of the United States made a determination that Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the U.S. were being imported in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  As a result of this determination, the President made a decision to impose a 25% tariff on Imports of Steel and 10% on imports of Aluminum articles from all countries, with certain exclusions, two of which were Canada and Mexico.

Last evening, the President issued two new Proclamations to amend 9705.  The amendments, among other things affect the excluded countries as follows:

For aluminum -  “Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all aluminum articles imports specified in the Annex shall be subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, as follows: (a) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018, from all countries except Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, and the member countries of the European Union, and (b) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 1, 2018, from all countries.  This rate of duty, which is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported aluminum articles, shall apply to imports of aluminum articles from each country as specified in the preceding sentence.”

For steel -  “Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, or in notices published pursuant to clause 3 of this proclamation, all steel articles imports specified in the Annex shall be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, as follows:  (a) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 23, 2018, from all countries except Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, and the member countries of the European Union, and (b) on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 1, 2018, from all countries.  This rate of duty, which is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported steel articles, shall apply to imports of steel articles from each country as specified in the preceding sentence.”

Of note, is that the United States is continuing discussions with Canada, Mexico and other currently exempted countries on alternative means that would be satisfactory in addressing the threatened impairment to the national security of the United States by continued imports from these countries of steel and aluminum articles.

If you would like more information on the changes to aluminum and steel imports please contact one of our trade compliance experts for assistance.