No one can say whether steel tariffs will go away, but their history shows how they shrink and how they come back. Between 2018 and 2022 the U.S. granted country exemptions, quotas and product exclusions that softened the 2018 steel tariff. In March 2025 all of them were terminated, and the rate later doubled to 50%. As of October 2026, steel tariffs have no end date, and relief has come only through negotiated, reversible arrangements.
Key Takeaways
- Steel tariffs have no end date as of October 2026.
- Relief in 2018–2022 came through negotiated exemptions and quotas.
- All of that relief was terminated in March 2025.
- Plan on current rates and use tariff-change clauses.
Eight Years of Steel Tariffs: How Relief Came and Went
| Period | What happened | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| March 2018 | 25% tariff on steel imports from most partners | Section 232 tariffs start without an end date |
| 2018–2022 | Country exemptions, quotas and tariff-rate quotas negotiated with several partners; product exclusions granted | Relief came through negotiation, country by country |
| 2020 | 13 derivative product codes added | Scope can widen even during a period of relief |
| 2021–2024 | Tariffs kept by the next administration; Russian aluminum raised to 200% in 2023 | Policy survived a change of administration |
| March 2025 | All country exemptions and general product exclusions terminated | Negotiated relief proved reversible |
| June 2025 | Steel tariff raised to 50% (25% for the UK) | Rates can rise as well as fall |
| April–June 2026 | Duty moved to full value; temporary lower rates for some equipment through 2027 | Relief now targets products, with dates attached |
Dates and events are drawn from the Congressional Research Service summary updated September 2026.
Lessons for Anyone Waiting for Steel Tariffs to End
- They do not expire on their own. Section 232 actions run until a proclamation changes them.
- Relief tends to be partial. Past arrangements lowered rates for specific partners or products rather than ending the tariff.
- Relief can be withdrawn. Every exemption from 2018–2022 was ended in 2025, and the inclusion process for new derivatives was replaced in 2026 by rolling additions.
- Dated relief is the only kind you can plan on. The current reduced rates for certain equipment end after December 31, 2027 unless extended.
What Would Signal a Real Change
The 2026 proclamations require Commerce and the Trade Representative to tell the President if the tariffs are no longer needed. The government reported steel capacity utilization of about 77.2%, close to its 80% target, in Proclamation 11021. Reaching that goal, new country agreements, or a shift in Congress’s role could each change the picture. We do not predict which, if any, will happen.
How Charger Buyers Can Plan
Steel touches charging projects mainly through pedestals, posts, brackets and fasteners. Plan as if today’s rates hold, and write tariff-change clauses into supply contracts. Our guides to pedestal chargers and US customs for EV chargers help you see where steel enters a project. EVDANCE, a factory-direct manufacturer, can separate charger and steel hardware pricing so you can decide what to import and what to source locally; distributors can start with our reseller program. Rates and rules here are as of October 2026; confirm the current proclamation and HTS notes before you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have steel tariffs ever been lifted for some countries?
Yes. Between 2018 and 2022 several partners received exemptions or quota arrangements. All were terminated in March 2025.
Will steel tariffs go down in 2028?
The temporary 15% treatment for certain equipment is scheduled to end after December 31, 2027, which would raise, not lower, those rates unless changed.
Do steel tariffs end when a new president takes office?
Not automatically. The 2018 steel tariffs remained in place through the 2021–2025 administration.
Related Reading
- Importing EV Chargers Into the US: Customs, HTS and Section 301
- What Is a Pedestal EV Charger?
- FOB vs DDP: How to Import EV Chargers From China Without Surprises
- What Drives the Unit Cost of an OEM EV Charger
