US steel and aluminum tariffs now cover imports like milk and cosmetics

On Monday, the Trump administration expanded its list of steel and aluminum products subject to tariffs. The 50% tax now applies to hundreds of imports, including some that contain little or no steel, such as dairy products and other consumer goods.

Tariff expansion hits hundreds of products

This is just the latest step in the Trump administration’s push to protect U.S. steel and aluminum. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump removed exemptions, cracked down on misclassified imports, set up a system to add derivative products to the tariffs and finally raised the tariff rate from 25% to 50%, hitting imports harder than ever.

The new tariffs are in effect right away and now extend to even the metal used in imported cosmetics and personal care products, including aerosol cans. Essentially, if it contains steel or aluminum or is packaged in it, it could face the 50% import tax.

What counts and what doesn’t

The U.S. Commerce Department, through the Industry and Security Bureau, is expanding steel and aluminum tariffs to cover 407 products that contain the metals, including everything from machinery parts to consumer goods. 

Only the steel or aluminum portion of each product will be taxed, while the rest of the materials remain under standard tariffs. Sixty other products are being left out for now because they are already under separate trade investigations. The specific identities of these 60 excluded products have not been publicly disclosed.

The expanded tariffs now hit a wide range of products, from wind turbines and heavy machinery like bulldozers and mobile cranes to railcars, furniture, compressors and hundreds more.

Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler said the move closes loopholes and strengthens the American steel and aluminum industries, making it harder for companies to dodge the tariffs.

Consumer impact

Consumers are expected to feel the pinch from the expanded tariffs. A 2025 report from global e-commerce solutions provider ESW found that rising import costs are already changing shopping habits, with many Americans cutting back on electronics, fashion and home goods in response to higher prices.

Tariffs lead to international deals

Internationally, the expanded tariffs have prompted responses from U.S. trading partners. The U.S. and the European Union announced a new framework aimed at promoting fair and balanced trade between the two economies in a joint statement. 

The agreement lays the groundwork for reducing tariffs, improving market access and strengthening investment ties, including commitments on U.S. industrial goods, seafood and agricultural products such as dairy, pork and fruits.

Under the deal, the EU plans to eliminate tariffs on most U.S. industrial goods and expand purchases of U.S. energy and technology products, including liquefied natural gas and AI chips. At the same time, the U.S. will adjust tariffs on certain EU goods, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals and aircraft.

U.S. dairy leaders praised the agreement, saying it gives American farmers a chance to finally compete on a level playing field in Europe. The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council emphasized that longstanding EU protectionism has cost U.S. dairy billions and limited market access.