The US Department of Commerce is weighing whether to impose new tariffs on approximately 700 product lines, following a second wave of requests from American industry. The decision, expected in December or January, has global exporters “steeling themselves” for another trade blow.
The requests, submitted before an October 21 deadline, come from firms like Guardian Bikes, Red Gold canning, and makers of 200 industrial machines. Their common argument is that foreign competitors, often from China, have an “unfair” advantage.
They argue that US firms pay high tariffs on raw steel, while foreign businesses can import finished goods with steel components “with no comparable tariff.” This, they claim, is “flooding the market” with low-cost goods.
This campaign is causing friction with US allies. The UK and EU, operating under their own trade deals, now face an unexpected additional levy on their steel-containing goods. They argue this “makes a mockery” of their agreements.
With a near-100% success rate for a previous list of 407 items, approval is widely expected. This signals a “liberal, expansive approach” by the US, creating global trade uncertainty.
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