U.S. Commerce Department provides aluminum tariff update

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump exercised his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose a 10 percent worldwide tariff on aluminum.

As part of the announcement, the Trump Administration has provided for an exemption process of certain types of aluminum “not to be produced in the United States in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality and is also authorized to provide such relief based on specific national security considerations.”

Companies may apply for specific exclusion types if they use aluminum in their business practice and have proved sufficient need to meet the above criteria.

Marine manufacturers interested in applying for an exclusion for certain types of aluminum, for example wide- width sheet (72 inches or larger), may find more information on the application process a Federal Register Rules and Regulations document released Monday.

This exemption process only applies to the 10 percent aluminum tariff announced earlier this month. Exemptions will be approved on a company and product-specific basis.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association continues to actively work with the Trump Administration and Congress on the potential side effects of aluminum tariffs on marine users.

In addition to the 10 percent tariff under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act described above, the U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to announce tariffs on Chinese aluminum sheet in the coming month.

The exclusion process will not apply to any additional tariff announcements. There remains much uncertainty as to who will qualify for the exemption process but NMMA will continue to update its members as the issue develops. For more information please contact Nicole Vasilaros at nvasilaros@nmma.org