Trump Plans to Increase Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

On May 30, U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The tariffs will go up from 25% to 50%. He said this will help protect American steel companies and workers.

Trump made this announcement during a speech in Pennsylvania. He also mentioned a $14.9 billion deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. He said both the deal and the new tariffs will help save American jobs.

Later, he posted online that the higher tariffs will also include aluminum products. These changes will start on Wednesday.

Some companies, like Cleveland-Cliffs, saw their stock prices rise. But countries like Canada and Australia were not happy. They said these tariffs are unfair and hurt free trade.

The U.S. is one of the biggest buyers of steel. The new tariffs might raise prices for both companies and customers.

This version is simplified for beginner English readers.
Trump Announces 50% Tariffs on Imported Steel and Aluminum

On May 30, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. He made the announcement during a rally in Pennsylvania to support American steel jobs.

Trump said the increase will protect the U.S. steel industry and help workers. He also praised a $14.9 billion deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel, saying it will secure jobs in the country.

He later posted that the new tariffs would also apply to aluminum products and will take effect on Wednesday. After the news, shares of Cleveland-Cliffs rose by 26% as investors expected higher profits.

The decision adds to Trump’s trade war efforts, especially after accusing China of breaking a trade agreement about key minerals. Canada’s Chamber of Commerce criticized the tariffs, calling them harmful to both countries. Australia also criticized the move as unfair and harmful to global trade.

The U.S. imported 26.2 million tons of steel in 2024. The new tariffs are expected to raise costs for businesses and consumers. These tariffs were among the first steps Trump took after returning to office in January.

This version is for intermediate English learners.
Trump Doubles Down on Trade War with 50% Tariff on Steel and Aluminum

WEST MIFFLIN, Pennsylvania, May 30 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump escalated his trade war on Friday, announcing plans to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. Speaking at a rally near Pittsburgh, Trump claimed the move would further secure the domestic steel industry and protect American jobs.

“We’re going to increase tariffs on steel imports to 50% to protect our national industry,” Trump said, while highlighting a $14.9 billion deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel as another effort to safeguard American employment.

The higher tariffs, which will also extend to aluminum products, are scheduled to take effect Wednesday. Shares in Cleveland-Cliffs Inc soared 26% after hours, as investors anticipated a boost in profitability for U.S. steelmakers.

This latest protectionist measure intensifies Trump’s global trade strategy, coming just hours after he accused China of violating a mutual agreement to reduce tariffs on critical minerals. Critics were swift: Canada’s Chamber of Commerce criticized the move as a threat to North American economic security, while Australia condemned it as “unjustified and economically harmful.”

The U.S., the largest global steel importer outside the EU, brought in 26.2 million tons in 2024. The increase in tariffs is expected to raise input costs across industries and impact consumer prices. The move also resurrects Trump’s earlier use of Section 232 national security tariffs, which cover a broad range of products from raw metals to derivatives like frying pans and door hinges.

In 2024, imports across 289 categories under these tariffs were valued at $147.3 billion, with aluminum comprising two-thirds of the total. Trump’s renewed focus on protectionist trade policies mirrors his first-term tactics, which saw $50 billion worth of tariffs imposed on Chinese goods in 2018.

This version is for advanced English readers with more complex vocabulary and sentence structure.

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I. Basic
  • Tariff – A tax added to goods that are brought into a country from another country.

  • Deal – An agreement between people or companies, often about business or money.

  • Jobs – Work that people do to earn money.

II. Intermediate
  • Rally – A large public meeting, often to support a political leader or idea.

  • Announce – To tell people something officially or publicly.

  • Criticize – To say what is wrong with something or why you disagree with it.

III. Advanced
  • Protectionist – Relating to policies that limit imports to protect local businesses and industries.

  • Escalate – To increase or grow more intense, especially in a serious situation like a conflict or war.

  • Derivatives – Products made from or based on another product or material.