By Paul Daniel l June 2, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation amending tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports, introducing changes that lower duties on certain industrial and agricultural products while maintaining broader protections for domestic metal producers. The White House said the move modifies existing Section 232 national security tariffs that have been a central part of the administration’s trade policy.
According to the proclamation, tariffs on several heavy industrial and agricultural products—including equipment such as harvesters, forklifts, bulldozers, and some heating and cooling systems—will be reduced from 25 per cent to 15 per cent beginning June 8, 2026. The reduced rates are expected to remain in place through the end of 2027.
The administration also announced a lower 10 per cent tariff for certain imported products made primarily with U.S.-sourced steel, aluminum, or copper. To qualify, the products must contain at least 85 per cent American-produced metal by weight, a measure officials say is intended to encourage manufacturers to source more materials from domestic suppliers.
The latest changes build upon a broader overhaul of U.S. metal tariffs introduced earlier this year. In April, the Trump administration expanded Section 232 tariffs to cover a wider range of steel, aluminum, and copper products and adjusted how duties are calculated, applying tariffs to the full customs value of many imported goods rather than only the metal content.
Supporters of the policy argue that the tariffs are necessary to protect industries considered vital to U.S. national security and economic resilience. The White House has repeatedly maintained that domestic steel, aluminum, and copper production are essential to defense manufacturing, infrastructure development, and supply-chain security.
However, the tariff regime has also drawn criticism from manufacturers, importers, and trading partners who argue that higher duties increase production costs and contribute to inflationary pressures across sectors ranging from agriculture and construction to consumer goods. Industry groups have warned that businesses relying on imported components may face higher operating expenses despite the latest reductions.
Canada remains among the countries most affected by U.S. metal tariffs due to its significant exports of steel and aluminum to the American market. Canadian business organizations have continued to monitor the evolving tariff framework, noting that some products remain subject to duties as high as 50 per cent under current trade measures.
The proclamation marks the latest development in a series of trade actions that have reshaped North American manufacturing and supply chains over the past two years. Analysts say the administration's decision reflects an effort to balance support for domestic metal industries with concerns from farmers, manufacturers, and equipment producers affected by higher import costs.
With the revised tariffs set to take effect later this month, businesses across North America are expected to assess how the changes will influence production costs, investment decisions, and cross-border trade in the months ahead.