On August 28, 2023, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a proposed rule to revise the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff exclusion process. The proposed rule responds to public comments received in response to BIS’s February 2022 Request for Public Comments. By proposing further revisions to the exclusion request process, BIS
Section 232 (Aluminum)
WTO Rules China’s Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Imports Inconsistent with International Trade Agreements
In a landmark ruling on August 16, 2023, the World Trade Organization (WTO) determined that the retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on U.S. imports in response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs were inconsistent with international trade rules. The decision marks a significant moment in the long-standing trade dispute between the two major economic powers.
UPDATED: President Biden Issues Proclamations Increasing the Tariff Rates on Russian Aluminum to 200% and Significantly Increasing Rates on Other Russian Products

On the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Joseph Biden on February 24, 2023, issued a Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States to implement: (1) effective March 10, 2023, a 200% import tariff on aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles that are the products of Russia, and (2) effective…
U.S. International Trade Commission to Investigate Effects of Section 232 and Section 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries
On May 5, 2022, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced the initiation of a general factfinding investigation that will examine the impact of tariffs on U.S. imports under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 in effect as of March 15, 2022. The…
U.S. and UK Announce Agreement on Steel and Aluminum Section 232 Tariffs
On March 22, 2022, the United States and the United Kingdom reached agreement on allowing “sustainable volumes” of UK steel and aluminum products to enter the U.S. market without the application of Section 232 tariffs. The Joint Statement notes that both the United States and UK will monitor steel and aluminum trade between the countries…
BIS Seeks Comments on Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Product Exclusion Process
On February 10, 2022, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published in the Federal Register a Request for Public Comments seeking comments on the Section 232 product exclusion process, including the responsiveness of the process to market demand and enhanced consultation with U.S. firms and labor organizations. The request for comments…
CBP Issues Guidance on EU Section 232 Tariff Rate Quotas on Imports of Aluminum and Steel Articles
On December 29, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued several guidance documents through its Cargo Systems Messaging Service concerning recent Presidential Proclamations that established the tariff rate quota (TRQ) process for imports of aluminum and steel articles from the member countries of the European Union (EU). See Update of December 29, 2021 for…
President Biden Issues Proclamations Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States
On December 28, 2021, President Joseph Biden issued two proclamations – Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States and Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States. In each proclamation, the president acknowledged that:
“the United States has successfully concluded discussions with the EU [European Union] on behalf of its member countries on…
United States and European Union Reach Agreement on Steel and Aluminum Imports; Section 232 Duties to Be Removed
On October 30, 2021, the United States and the European Union (EU) reached an agreement regarding the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU that were implemented during the Trump administration. Under the agreement, the United States will replace the current Section 232 duties with tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for covered EU…
U.S.-EU Summit Statement Addresses Trade, Investment and Technological Cooperation
On June 15, 2021, the United States and European Union (EU) issued a joint Summit Statement trumpeting a “renewed transatlantic partnership” at the conclusion of President Joseph Biden’s first trip abroad as president. The statement establishes a Joint Transatlantic Agenda “for the post-pandemic era, and … regular dialogue to take stock of progress.” The leaders…