American Association for Recycled Materials: Steel and aluminum tariffs do not include waste
February 19, 2025
According to foreign media reports, the American Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) said that after the review and analysis of the executive order on the taxation of steel and aluminum imported to the United States, it was concluded that scrap iron and scrap aluminum can continue to be freely traded at the United States border.
"After careful analysis of the full text of the February 14 presidential statement reinstating Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the United States, imports of recycled steel and aluminum remain exempt from these specific tariffs," said Adam Shaffer, International trade and global Affairs staff at ReMA.
Shaffer added that "scrap has been excluded from these tariffs since 2017 and 2018 and will continue to be excluded from these tariffs in the future."
Shaffer said the new aluminum import tariff regime will take effect on March 12 and will increase the rate from 10 percent to 25 percent. At that time, some countries that previously enjoyed tariff exemptions, such as Canada and Mexico, will also impose 25% tariffs on their steel and aluminum.
The exact details of the Trump administration's so-called reciprocal tariffs have not been released.
