While most of the debate over tariffs has focused on goods from China, former President Donald Trump in 2018 also imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum from a wide variety of countries. The tariffs came under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows tariffs based on national security issues.
NRF called the steel and aluminum tariffs a “self-inflicted wound on the nation’s economy” that drive up prices for U.S. consumers on metal-dependent products from canned goods to automobiles. NRF has endorsed legislation that would require congressional approval of Section 232 tariffs, urging Congress to “play a leading role in mitigating escalating trade tensions with our strongest allies.”
NRF has brought retailers to Washington to outline concerns with the steel and aluminum tariffs. Among other concerns, appliance dealers say tariffs have driven up the price of products such as refrigerators, prompting customers to choose lower-cost models or skip purchases altogether.
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