Washington, US. officially implemented a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the US from all countries today, March 12, 2025, in a move to protect national security and revive the U.S. steel and aluminium industries.

The move eliminates previous exemptions and extends the duties to hundreds of downstream products made from these metals, from nuts and bolts to bulldozer blades and soda cans.

These tariffs have escalated tensions with major U.S. trading partners, such as Canada, Mexico, and China. Canada, the largest exporter of steel and aluminium to the U.S., was initially threatened with a 50% tariff, but this was later reduced to 25% after Ontario agreed to suspend a surcharge on electricity exports to certain U.S. states.

The European Union has announced retaliatory tariffs on $28 billion worth of American goods, set to take effect on April 1, which include motorcycles, bourbon, and agricultural products, while Australia has called the move harmful to the global economy.