Trump Unveils Staggering 50% Steel Tariffs, Lauds Contradictory Nippon Steel Arrangement

In a bold move on Friday, Donald Trump declared a doubling of foreign tariffs on steel imports to 50%, simultaneously commending a “blockbuster” deal for Nippon Steel to invest in US Steel. Addressing a rally at a US Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, Trump asserted that this substantial tariff hike would “further secure the steel industry in the United States,” leaving no room for circumvention.
This dramatic increase, which will also apply to imported aluminum and take effect on June 4, is touted by Trump as a major positive development for American steel and aluminum workers. The announcement follows a recent legal victory for Trump, as a federal appeals court temporarily allowed his tariffs to remain active. This reinforces his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to impose duties based on national security concerns, an authority he has consistently exercised.
However, the specific details surrounding the Nippon Steel and US Steel arrangement continue to create uncertainty. While Trump now frames it as a “partnership,” his previous stance was “totally against” Nippon’s $14.9 billion acquisition bid. The United Steelworkers union had also voiced strong opposition, viewing it as an attempt to undermine the domestic industry. Curiously, US Steel’s own website explicitly describes the transaction as an “agreement to be acquired by NSC” and repeatedly refers to an “acquisition.” This divergence in narrative has fueled public and media confusion regarding the true nature of the deal, even prompting questions from pro-Trump media outlets.