The U.S. is considering a new policy on steel and aluminum tariffs: derivative product tax rates reduced to 25%, while pure metal products remain at 50%.

Does AI · Economic pressure prompt the government to adjust tariffs to appease voters?

Gate.io has learned from reports that the Trump administration is mulling setting a 25% tariff rate on finished products made from imported steel and aluminum, aiming to simplify the tariff structure for metal products and help companies respond more clearly to President Trump’s import tax policy.

The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, says the new tariff rate could be announced as early as this week. The report notes that the 25% tariff would apply to derivative products that contain steel and aluminum, replacing the current 50% tariff rate levied on the value of steel and aluminum materials in products. Goods made almost entirely of steel and aluminum would still be subject to the higher 50% tariff.

White House spokesperson Coo… Dease said the government has “consistently made it clear that it is implementing a detailed, flexible, multi-pronged strategy to bring key manufacturing back to the United States,” adding that, “Any reports of potential administrative actions that have not yet been officially announced by the government should be regarded as unconfirmed speculation.”

Previously, the Trump administration imposed broad-based tariffs on steel and aluminum products, and businesses have generally said it is difficult to calculate costs. The government has recently been working to narrow the scope of tariffs to ease pressure on companies.

This comes as the Trump administration faces voter dissatisfaction with economic issues, and concerns have been widely raised about the pressure of higher day-to-day living costs. This situation could weaken the Republican Party’s efforts to retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

Last year, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on foreign steel and aluminum on the grounds of addressing China’s excess industrial capacity. But this move ultimately hit other major trading partners, including Canada, the European Union, Mexico, and South Korea. Since then, so-called derivative products containing the aforementioned metals have also been included in the tariff list, forcing companies to calculate the proportion of metals in imported goods in a tedious manner and making compliance far more difficult.