US Announces New Tariff Measures on Aluminum and Copper On April 2026

The United States officially rolled out major adjustments to the tariff framework for imported aluminum, copper and related downstream products in early April 2026. Signed by the US President as Presidential Proclamation 11021 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the new measures took effect at 00:01 Eastern Time on April 6, 2026.

1. Core Reform: Full Shipment Tariff Principle

Adjusted Tax Base: Tariffs will be levied on the full customs dutiable value of imported goods, instead of only on the metal content. No separate valuation will be made for metallic and non-metallic components.
Policy Purpose: Close tariff evasion loopholes, simplify compliance procedures for importers, and ensure tariffs reflect the real value of imported products.

2. Tiered Tariff Rate System for Aluminum & Copper

Product Category	Tariff Rate	Scope of Application
Core Metal Products	50%	Products made entirely or nearly entirely of aluminum and copper (e.g., aluminum sheets, copper pipes, copper wires)
Derived Metal Products	25%	Downstream products primarily made of aluminum and copper (e.g., copper cables, aluminum industrial parts)
Specified Industrial Equipment	15%	High metal-content industrial and power grid equipment (temporary reduced rate valid from Apr 6, 2026 to Dec 31, 2027)
Low Metal-Content Derivatives	0%	Products with metal content below 15% (e.g., perfume bottles with aluminum caps, small home appliances with copper parts)

3. Special Arrangements

UK Preferential Treatment: The tariff rate for core metal products originating from the UK is lowered to 25% amid ongoing US-UK trade negotiations.
US Domestic Metal Exemption: Downstream products manufactured entirely with domestically smelted US metals qualify for preferential tariff rates.
Dynamic Expansion Mechanism: The US Department of Commerce will continuously update the covered product list and expand the scope of downstream derivatives subject to tariffs.

4. Policy Background & Objectives

National Security Grounds: The US administration determined that excessive imports of aluminum and copper pose risks to national security, requiring strengthened domestic production capacity for strategic metals.
Structural Optimization: Maintain a 50% benchmark rate for primary metals, adopt tiered tariffs for downstream products, and balance industrial protection with supply chain stability.
Industrial Development: A 15% preferential rate is set for key sectors such as power grid equipment to accelerate the development of the US domestic industrial base.

5. Market Impacts

Limited Direct Price Shock: Market analysts point out the adjustment mainly optimizes tariff calculation rules, with limited impact on aluminum and copper futures prices.
Supply Chain Restructuring: Enterprises may adjust procurement strategies, increase the use of domestically sourced US metals, or shift purchases to preferential regions including the UK.
Higher Compliance Costs: Importers need to re-assess product classification and tariff costs to comply with the new full-value tariff rules.

6. Comparison with 2025 Policy

April 2026: Tariff coverage expands to aluminum products; taxation is changed to the full value of goods, with a refined tiered tariff system established.

July 2025: The US first imposed a 50% tariff on copper semi-finished goods and high-copper derivatives, levied only on copper content.

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