Trump signs Section 232 tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum

President Trump signed proclamations on March 8, 2018, imposing 25% tariffs on imported steel and 10% on imported aluminum under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross submitted findings to Trump in January 2018 concluding that steel and aluminum imports threatened national security. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and White House adviser Peter Navarro pushed for the action. The tariffs took effect for most countries on March 23, though Canada and Mexico received temporary exemptions that became permanent in May 2019.