On August 18, 2025, the Trump administration expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in the United States by adding a 5% tariff on more than 400 goods containing these metals. This move was announced and implemented nationwide on Monday.

The tariffs affect a wide range of products including wires, cables, and parts used in home appliances, electronics, and automobiles. This expansion follows President Trump's earlier announcement in May 2025 to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% to protect domestic producers.

President Trump stated in May, "We're going to bring it from 25% to 50%, the tariffs on steel into the United States of America." The recent tariff increase adds an additional 5% on top of existing rates for numerous goods with steel and aluminum components.

Columbia University Business School professor Rita McGrath explained the impact, saying, "Anything that takes a big amount of those raw materials as inputs, so cars, refrigerators, toaster ovens, soda cans, are certainly going to be affected. And where the average consumer is going to see that is just increasing prices for a lot of these goods."

The tariffs are part of the Trump administration's broader trade policy aimed at supporting U.S. steel and aluminum industries by making imported metals more expensive. The expanded tariffs were reported by ABC15 Phoenix and other news outlets on August 18, 2025.