Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States

This proclamation reduces the steel tariff on Turkey from 50 percent to 25 percent, effective May 21, 2019, aligning it with the rate applied to most other countries. The reduction follows significant declines in Turkish steel imports and improved domestic steel industry capacity utilization. The 25 percent tariff on steel imports from most countries remains in place.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 23421

Impact dates

May 21, 2019
Reduced 25% tariff on Turkish steel takes effect; HTSUS modifications effective

Key directives

Reduce Turkey steel tariff from 50% to 25% effective May 21, 2019
Revise HTSUS subchapter III of chapter 99 provisions
Delete heading 9903.80.02 and U.S. note 16(a)(ii) for Turkey
Amend U.S. note 16 to remove Turkey references
Continue 25% tariff on steel from most countries
Supersede inconsistent provisions in prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Who is ordered

Secretary of Commerce · Commerce

Timeline

Immediate

Turkey's steel tariff rate reduced from 50% to 25% effective May 21, 2019
HTSUS modifications take effect for goods entered on or after May 21, 2019

Near term (90d)

Monitoring of domestic steel industry capacity utilization continues
Foreign trade zone entries under privileged foreign status before May 21 subject to new rate upon consumption entry

Long term

25 percent steel tariffs continue indefinitely unless expressly reduced, modified, or terminated
Continued assessment of whether target capacity utilization levels are maintained

Risks & tensions

Potential WTO disputes over continued Section 232 tariffs
Retaliatory measures from affected trading partners
U.S. steel consumers face higher input costs
Turkey may seek full tariff removal rather than parity with other countries
Uncertainty about duration of 'unless expressly reduced, modified, or terminated' clause