Trump Doubles Tariffs

President Trump announced Friday that his administration will double tariffs on imported steel, raising them from 25 percent to 50 percent as part of a broader effort to strengthen the U.S. steel industry. Speaking at a steel facility in Pittsburgh, Trump said the move was aimed at further securing domestic production and protecting American jobs.

“We’re going to bring it from 25 to 50 percent on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry in the United States,” Trump told a crowd of workers and supporters in Allegheny County.

The announcement was made during an event celebrating what Trump described as a “blockbuster” agreement between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, a Japanese-owned company. He framed the deal as a win for American industry and a testament to a strong relationship with Japan, calling the country “a tremendous friend of mine during my years as president.”

Trump said the agreement would ensure that U.S. Steel “stays an American company,” though he did not offer specifics about how ownership or control would be structured under the partnership. Prior discussions have indicated that U.S. Steel would maintain an American CEO, a U.S.-majority board, and government oversight through a so-called “golden share” clause.

The announcement fits into Trump’s broader second-term agenda, which has focused heavily on reshoring manufacturing and using aggressive tariffs as leverage in global trade. He’s leaned on this strategy in prior tariff campaigns targeting aluminum, automobiles, and other imported goods, all of which were hit with baseline duties as high as 10 percent or more.

While the tariff hikes have drawn praise from some domestic industries, they’ve also sparked concern across financial markets, where analysts worry about potential price increases that could hit consumers and businesses alike. Critics across the political spectrum argue that the escalating tariffs could have inflationary effects and disrupt supply chains.

Trump and his advisors, however, have repeatedly defended the approach, saying the tariffs are not only necessary but also effective. They claim the threat of higher import costs has forced foreign governments to the negotiating table, often leading to more favorable trade agreements for the U.S.

Though some tariffs have been rolled back or delayed during negotiations, the administration views them as tools that deliver results. The president’s latest steel tariff increase follows that pattern ratcheting up pressure while promoting a vision of American industrial resurgence.