Tariffs expanded to 407 more products

The expansion broadens tariff coverage by hundreds of product categories, signaling a more aggressive stance on metal inputs.

Trump expands steel and aluminum tariffs to 407 more products

On Monday, the Trump administration expanded its 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum to 407 additional product categories. The new measures include fire extinguishers, machinery, construction materials, and specialty chemicals that use or contain metal. The list is defined by specific 10-digit customs codes rather than product names, a format the Commerce Department says helps prevent circumvention but makes it harder for the public to see exactly what is affected.

Commerce Department officials said the move broadens the reach of the tariffs and aims to bolster the American steel and aluminum industries by closing loopholes. Industry observers noted the change could ripple through supply chains, raising costs for manufacturers and, in some cases, for consumers. Jason Miller, a supply chain professor at Michigan State University, estimated the tariff coverage touches about $320 billion of imports based on 2024 data and warned it could add inflationary pressure to prices already climbing in the United States.

This policy shift signals a longer game in how tariffs are used to shape industry costs and consumer prices. By coding products through HS numbers rather than naming them, the administration emphasizes jurisdiction over substance while inviting questions about transparency and enforcement.

The expansion could benefit some domestic producers in the near term, but it also risks higher input costs for a broad range of goods and a wider inflation pass-through. Critics say the move may invite retaliation and complicate global supply chains that have already faced disruption, while supporters argue it closes loopholes and protects national capacity.

Highlights

Policy shifts like this test the balance between protecting industry and keeping prices affordable for households.