President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on June 1 that adjusts tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper imports. The changes lower some rates and expand incentives aimed at encouraging investment in U.S. manufacturing and agriculture.
According to the White House, the changes are designed to address national security concerns and strengthen domestic production of strategic metals. Officials said the measures will also encourage companies to invest in American industrial capacity.
The administration said the temporary changes will remain in place through Dec. 31, 2027.
The proclamation reduces tariffs on certain agricultural equipment, including combines and harvesters, from 25 percent to 15 percent. It also expands the category of industrial equipment subject to a 15 percent tariff. The expansion includes mobile industrial equipment such as bulldozers and forklifts imported from countries covered by U.S. trade agreements.
In addition, foreign companies will be able to qualify for a lower 10 percent duty rate on certain capital equipment. To qualify, at least 85 percent of the steel or aluminum used by weight must be melted and poured, or smelted and cast, in the United States.
The White House said the provision is intended to encourage greater use of domestically produced metals.
The tariff adjustments are scheduled to take effect on June 8. The administration said the changes are meant to spur near-term investments and help rebuild the nation’s industrial base. Officials said the measures will continue to provide protection for U.S. producers.
In the proclamation, Trump said the temporary modifications were warranted because of the importance of aluminum, steel, and copper products to economic activity in the United States. He also cited changing conditions affecting industries that rely on those materials.
The administration said the measures will continue to support national security objectives while providing flexibility for manufacturers and equipment producers.
The move builds on Trump’s broader use of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The law allows the president to impose tariffs on imports deemed a threat to national security. The White House said the administration has used the authority to support domestic industries including steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, semiconductors, critical minerals, timber, and pharmaceuticals.
The administration pointed to recent investments in U.S. metals production as evidence that the tariff strategy is working. According to the White House, the United States became the world’s third-largest steel producer in 2025. New steelmaking capacity is expected to come online in West Virginia, Arkansas, and South Carolina over the next two years.
The White House also highlighted plans by Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminum to build a new aluminum smelter in Oklahoma. It also pointed to expansion projects by several copper producers and processors operating in the United States. Officials said continued tariff protections are necessary to maintain investment momentum. They said the measures will help domestic producers compete with lower-priced foreign imports.
The proclamation follows additional trade actions taken earlier this year. In April, Trump signed an executive order establishing new guidelines for assessing tariffs on metal imports. Administration officials said some importers were understating the value of products to reduce tariff obligations.
Under those rules, imports made entirely or almost entirely of steel, aluminum, or copper are subject to a 50 percent tariff on their full value. Most derivative products are subject to a 25 percent tariff.