White House To Impose 200% Tariff on Russian Aluminum
Written by Becca Moczygemba
February 24, 2023
The US government will impose a 200% tariff on aluminum products of Russian origin starting on March 10, the Biden administration announced Friday.
Additionally, starting on April 10, a 200% ad valorem tariff will be applied to products that contain any amount of primary aluminum used in the manufacturing of aluminum products that are smelted or cast in Russia. The tariff is applicable to derivative aluminum products as well.
No Russian aluminum products will be eligible for any quota treatment as part of Section 232.
Recall that higher duties were initially implemented when the US Department of Commerce revoked Russia’s market economy status in antidumping cases in November 2022.
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai released a statement following the Biden administration’s latest tariff on ~$2.8 billion worth of goods from Russia.
“These actions are carefully calibrated to put economic pressure on Russia while minimizing costs to US consumers. As President Biden said in Poland earlier this week, the United States and our allies and partners will hold accountable those who are responsible for this war. Today’s actions demonstrate our resolve in doing precisely that,” Tai said.
United Steelworkers (USW) international president Tom Conway sound in a similar note in a statement released following the White House’s announcement of new tariffs.
“The USW worked closely with the Biden administration to limit access to our market in aluminum and other Russian exports. We are deeply appreciative of their engagement and today’s actions. These are important steps not only to fulfill the moral imperative to help Ukraine, but to support America’s workers,” he said.
Products pertaining to this announcement can be found in chapter 99, rather than chapter 76, of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), as it falls under temporary legislation.
The date of this announcement is notable. Feb. 24 is the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
By Becca Moczygemba, becca@steelmarketupdate.com
