The United States on Monday started imposing new tariffs on refrigerators, washing machines and other common home appliance imports on the grounds that they are made with steel and aluminum parts.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has expanded the scope of its 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which were doubled in early June, to “steel derivative products,” also including tumble dryers, dishwashers, food waste disposal units, and cooking stoves, ranges and ovens.
The country imports a large volume of such household appliances, known as white goods, from China, Mexico and South Korea. The Trump administration has explained that the tariff rate for each product will be determined by the value of the steel content.
In applying the steel and aluminum tariffs to household goods, a move that could raise prices for U.S. consumers, Trump has ramped up efforts to protect and revitalize domestic manufacturing.
In mid-March, the administration placed 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, marking the first imposition of such protectionist measures on an industry-sector basis since Trump took office for a nonconsecutive second term in January.
Along with those targeting automobiles and auto parts, Trump has charged higher import taxes on steel and aluminum-related imports using Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives a U.S. president authority to restrict imports considered to be a threat to national security.
