Trump Announces Steel Tariff Hike to 50%

[Social Media]

 

Trump Announces Steel Tariff Hike to 50% 

 

At a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States will double its existing tariff on imported steel from 25% to 50%. The move, he said, is aimed at strengthening domestic steel production, reducing dependence on foreign steel—particularly from China—and ensuring long-term job security for American workers.

Breaking news: President Donald Trump said Friday that he would double tariffs on steel imports from 25 percent to 50 percent.

The president spoke at a rally at U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania to herald the deal between the company and Japan’s Nippon Steel. https://t.co/V1Eyy9e1i0 pic.twitter.com/SrDrE22FKz

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 30, 2025

 

Trump addressed a crowd filled with steelworkers, celebrating what he portrayed as a significant step toward revitalizing the American steel industry. “There will be no layoffs and no outsourcing whatsoever, and every US steel worker will soon receive a well deserved $5,000 bonus,” Trump declared, prompting loud applause from the audience. The president positioned the tariff increase as a bold defense of American manufacturing, particularly for Pittsburgh-based US Steel, the country's largest steel producer.

U.S. Steel Irvin Works Plant Manager Don German: "I'm a first-generation U.S. Steel worker ... I thank you from the bottom of my heart." pic.twitter.com/0HYo8h27RI

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 30, 2025

 

Trump emphasized the local and national impact of his economic policy by announcing that $14 billion would be invested into the region’s steel sector through a partnership between US Steel and Japan's Nippon Steel. Although details of the partnership remain vague, Trump framed it as a monumental win for American industry and labor. “At 50%, they can no longer get over the fence,” he said, referring to foreign competitors.

 

The announcement marks a sharp escalation in Trump’s ongoing tariff policies, which have been a hallmark of his economic strategy since his first term. He previously imposed a 25% tariff on steel in 2018, a decision he credited with rescuing the domestic steel sector from collapse. Now back in office, Trump is doubling down on the same approach, even as critics raise legal and economic concerns.

 

Trump’s new tariff decision comes in the midst of a legal battle over the legitimacy of some of his broader tariff policies. An appeals court recently allowed the continuation of a case challenging various global trade duties, although his steel and aluminum tariffs have so far remained untouched by the lawsuit.

 

The broader impact of Trump's trade policies has been significant, reshaping global trade relations and markets. His tariffs have triggered retaliatory measures from countries like China, igniting a prolonged trade war between the world’s two largest economies. That tension flared again this month when Trump accused China of breaching a tariff truce the two nations had reached. In response, China issued its own accusations, deepening an already fraught economic rivalry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-05-31

 

 

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

It must be a day ending in "y" if he's adding a new and senseless tariff. TACO.

[BKKKevin]

Sounds like Taco Tuesday…

Yada Yada Yada… 

[Hamus Yaigh]

Countries may hesitate to make trade deals with the U.S. if they perceive agreements as unstable due to unilateral actions like President Trump’s tariff hikes, as seen with the steel tariff increase from 25% to 50% announced on May 30, 2025. Such moves, driven by domestic political pressures or media narratives, can undermine trust in U.S. commitments, especially for deals like the U.S.-UK agreement, which lacks full Congressional ratification and is vulnerable to executive changes.

 

The risk of abrupt changes persists, particularly with politically charged issues like steel, tied to Trump’s focus on China and domestic industry.

[Chomper Higgot]

Don’t panic, incoming TACO, low and to the right.

[billd766]

So when the price of cars, houses and office blocks or anything made if metal rises, who will Trump lay the blame on?

 

It certainly won't be himself, even though he has created the problem.

 

And if countries that import US steel and aluminium slap a 50% import tax on US steel and aluminium, whose fault will that be?

[BLMFem]

‘They’ll blame Donald Trump’: Karl Rove warns tariffs will turn 2026 voters to Democrats, Navarro goes ballistic

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/karl-rove-peter-navarro-trump-tariffs-voters-b2760825.html

 

"Longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove warned this week that the “muddled mess” around Donald Trump’s “chaotic trade talk” could “badly damage” the Republican Party in the midterms next year, adding that voters would “blame” the president for higher prices and scarce goods.

The stern words from Rove, a longtime Fox News contributor, prompted the president’s trade adviser to rage against the former George W. Bush deputy chief of staff and campaign architect on Rove’s own network."

[SunnyinBangrak]

Bringing back the jobs Obama said would never come back is his biggest crime yet. Trying to address the unstoppable and growing defecit is the 2nd biggest crime. Seems democrats and msm narrative concocters really really hate America.

Thank you for trying where other weaker men simply gave up, Mr Trump.

[Chomper Higgot]

46 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Bringing back the jobs Obama said would never come back is his biggest crime yet. Trying to address the unstoppable and growing defecit is the 2nd biggest crime. Seems democrats and msm narrative concocters really really hate America.

Thank you for trying where other weaker men simply gave up, Mr Trump.

So why the need to massively increase the debt ceiling?

 

 

[candide]

46 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Bringing back the jobs Obama said would never come back is his biggest crime yet. Trying to address the unstoppable and growing defecit is the 2nd biggest crime. Seems democrats and msm narrative concocters really really hate America.

Thank you for trying where other weaker men simply gave up, Mr Trump.

Suuure! 

[candide]

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So why the need to massively increase the debt ceiling?

 

 

That's the MAGA adaptation of the yin and yang principle! 

[JonnyF]

Good news.

 

More jobs for American people. Back to the glory days. 

 

America first. 

 

USA USA USA

 

Let's go Brandon.

[Lacessit]

Trump is trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

 

American steel is 70% recycled, in electric arc furnaces. The 19 blast furnaces that remain are decrepit. EAF's are expensive to run, in terms of electricity costs.

 

China has over 200 steel mills. 19 of its blast furnaces are less than 12 months old.

 

It makes steel from iron ore which is over 60% iron content. Unless it imports iron ore from other countries, America has to use Mesabi iron ore, which is only 30% Fe content.

 

Quite simply, US steel mills are uncompetitive, and a 50% tariff is only going to hike prices of a wide range of goods that need steel, for all American consumers.

 

 

[bunnydrops]

33 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

More jobs for American people.

You mean these workers?

 

[CallumWK]

14 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

You mean these workers?

 

 

They are made from steel, isn't it? 🙂 

[bunnydrops]

20 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Trump is trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

 

American steel is 70% recycled, in electric arc furnaces. The 19 blast furnaces that remain are decrepit. EAF's are expensive to run, in terms of electricity costs.

 

China has over 200 steel mills. 19 of its blast furnaces are less than 12 months old.

 

It makes steel from iron ore which is over 60% iron content. Unless it imports iron ore from other countries, America has to use Mesabi iron ore, which is only 30% Fe content.

 

Quite simply, US steel mills are uncompetitive, and a 50% tariff is only going to hike prices of a wide range of goods that need steel, for all American consumers.

 

 

Pretty much the same reason John Deere decided to move one of its plants to Mexico. John Deere is a global marketer. Building in the US is too expensive to compete in the global market. They can still build and compete in the US market since the tariffs increase the cost for their competition but then the US farmers have to pay a higher price for the same tractor that could be bought elsewhere.

[Tug]

14 hours ago, BKKKevin said:

Sounds like Taco Tuesday…

Yada Yada Yada… 

Darn ya beat me to it!I have a project scheduled for this fall I want to build 8 trusses spanning 28 feet. I was hoping to use square steel tubes….now with the tariffs imposed during his first ( administration) that blew up the materials to 1800$ from 600$ so guess I will be using wood …..oh wait he wrecks that plan as well with his knife in the guts to our northern neighbor…..not to mention my depleted bank account.guess the only hope is the TACO dance.

[bunnydrops]

4 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

They are made from steel, isn't it? 🙂 

Produced more and more by machine.

[WorriedNoodle]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

More jobs for American people. Back to the glory days. 
Let's go Brandon.

That was what the 12-Mar steel tariffs of 25% were supposed to cover. Could it be the Lets Go Brandon mob don't know what they are doing?

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

That was what the 12-Mar steel tariffs of 25% were supposed to cover. Could it be the Lets Go Brandon mob don't know what they are doing?

LETS GO TACO!!!lmao 

[NoDisplayName]

How is this going to work out?  Imported steel is made more expensive, so that domestic steel can maybe be competitive.  American business will now have to pay the 50% tax, and US steel won't need to modernize or lower prices.

 

In the meantime, the emperor has decreed:

 

Steep levies on Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports have been proposed, up to as much as $1.5 million, as part of a plan to bring more ship manufacturing back to the U.S., a policy which has bipartisan support.

 

And this will be tacked on top of the import tariffs, both being paid by American consumers.  How much arrives on Chinese-built ships?

 

Soon, Chinese-made vessels will represent 98% of the trade ships on the world’s oceans.

 

So...........this will somehow bring steel-making and ship-building back?  We're gonna build fleets of ships that cost two to three times what it costs the Chinese?  And have nothing to export, and can't afford to import?

 

Appears our (p)resident earned his economics degree at Trump University.

 

 

 

[Bannoi]

Grumps shot his bolt. The whole world knows he's going to back down. He's pathetic

[bannork]

The US only imports 2% of its steel from China, 70% of its imports come from Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

20% of overall US steel consumption is imported because US manufactured steel price is double the world average price!

The US steel industry runs at 80% capacity utilisation which is average. 

Perhaps Trump is smarting from the possible legal shutdown of his broad global tariff barrage, or the taco nickname is getting to him.

[Chomper Higgot]

10 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Good news.

 

More jobs for American people. Back to the glory days. 

 

America first. 

 

USA USA USA

 

Let's go Brandon.

 

Definitely an attack on British steel, and therefore British jobs and the British economy.

 

And here you are, a self proclaimed patriot Bit, cheering it on.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

48 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Definitely an attack on British steel, and therefore British jobs and the British economy.

 

And here you are, a self proclaimed patriot Bit, cheering it on.

 

 

Is it?

 

A UK government source has told Sky News that the UK is exempt from this new tariff rate following the signing of a US-UK trade agreement earlier this month.

The source points to the deal as proof of why early agreement with the Trump administration was important.

https://news.sky.com/story/trump-to-double-tariffs-on-steel-imports-as-he-threatens-china-13377208

[NoDisplayName]

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Nippon Steel will instill Japanese style management and there will be culture shock. There will be layoff and restructuring.

 

Oh, noooooo!

 

Efficiency is bad.

Effective management is bad.

Hiring and promotion on merit is bad.

They makes a company competitive.

 

We'll go with tariffs instead.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

Another reminder that Trump’s deals aren’t worth the paper they’re not written on:

 

https://www.uksteel.org/steel-news-2025/uk-steel-braced-to-face-shocking-new-50-us-tariff

 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/31/uk-trade-secretary-to-seek-exemption-from-us-steel-and-aluminium-tariffs

[Fat is a type of crazy]

Says the relationship with Australia is important. Then does this on a whim. This is the sort of thing that bit by bit damages the relationships between countries. Look for more consistent allies and trading partners. Will make steel more expensive in America. Let's see if he keeps with it or not this time. 

[Lacessit]

I would like the Australian government to hit the USA with reciprocal tariffs.

 

The USA has a positive trade balance with Australia. That means America suffers more.

 

IMO there is not anything America can supply which we can't get elsewhere without tariffs.

[BLMFem]

9 hours ago, theshu25 said:

Anything the orange grifter touches ,he soons screws up. Would not let the idiot be in charge of a hamburger stand.

...where he will serve nothingburgers.