What is going on with Section 232 tariffs?
Section 232 tariffs are U.S. national-security tariffs. In the retrieved materials, companies consistently discuss them as part of a broader, still-changing tariff regime alongside Sections 301, 122, and other trade actions. The evidence shows Section 232 is still active, has been tightened for some metals, reduced for some product categories, and is also the subject of pending investigations in areas like copper and solar/polysilicon-related products.
What is happening now
1) Section 232 remains in force, but the policy is being adjusted product by product
Company disclosures point to a mixed but active policy environment rather than a single across-the-board change:
Steel and aluminum remain core Section 232 categories.
- Steel Dynamics said the administration has based a 50% Section 232 tariff on imported steel on national-security grounds, and views that framework as durable support for the industry.
- Century Aluminum said the program was tightened, including an April action that closed valuation loopholes, and cited a July 20 executive order under which approved companies can import primary aluminum at 25% vs. 50% otherwise.
- Alcoa said Section 232 on Canadian aluminum is a major swing factor, with tariff costs exceeding $1 billion, and that a lower Canada rate could cut that burden materially.
- Reliance said 50% tariffs on imported aluminum from Canada immediately disrupted the U.S. market.
Some downstream or equipment categories appear to have lower rates than before.
- Deere said the tariff rate on imported goods had been roughly 25% and “dropped to 15%,” driven by imports from Europe.
- CNH said Section 232 applies to some of its products and tariffs on certain equipment categories were reduced to 15% from 25%.
- BRP said Section 232 tariffs on ATVs were reduced from 25% to 15% and are targeted to specific vehicle categories/configurations.
- Carrier said Section 232 tariffs on steel content had been reduced from 25% to 10%–15% depending on steel content.
