As of today, U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs have officially doubled under President Donald Trump’s America First trade policy, rising from 25% to 50%. The move sends a clear message to global trading partners: negotiate fair deals or face serious economic consequences.
This tariff hike coincides with the White House’s deadline for countries to submit their “best offers” to avoid sweeping new import tariffs set to hit in early July. The Trump administration has given countries a 90-day pause, now nearing its end, to bring serious proposals to the table.
While some in Europe and Asia are rattled, U.S. officials see progress. “We’re moving in the right direction,” said EU negotiator Maros Sefcovic after meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris. But President Trump is no longer accepting vague promises or slow-moving negotiations. The new tariff rates are intended to expedite action and enhance America’s negotiating power.
Critics argue that the higher tariffs create uncertainty, but from a pro-Trump perspective, this is precisely the pressure needed to level the playing field. For decades, the U.S. has allowed unfair trade practices to go unchecked—Trump is changing that.
Only the United Kingdom has secured a preliminary agreement so far, with more countries scrambling to respond before the July 8 deadline. Meanwhile, businesses abroad are starting to feel the heat, especially in Canada, Mexico, and the EU.
With global supply chains shifting and foreign leaders under pressure, Trump’s tough stance may be just what’s needed to secure better trade deals, protect American jobs, and reassert U.S. manufacturing dominance on the world stage.
