Trump Restructures Broad Metals Tariffs But Keeps 50% Rate

A worker inspects coils of steel in the storage yard at a steel plant in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Photographer: Martin Divisek/Bloomberg

The Trump administration said it will maintain 50% tariffs on many imported steel, aluminum and copper products, even as it moves to simplify duties for goods made with negligible amounts of the metals.

A senior administration official cast the changes as necessary to simplify a complicated policy and provide more fairness to businesses grappling with President Donald Trump’s tariff regime. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details before the president formally announced them.