Section 232 (National Security Tariffs)
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 authorizes tariffs on imports threatening national security. The 25% steel and aluminum tariffs have been in effect since 2018 with no expiration date.
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (codified at 19 U.S.C. § 1862) authorizes the President to impose tariffs or other restrictions on imports that threaten to impair national security. It is the legal basis for the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that have been in effect since 2018 and remain one of the most impactful tariff programs in 2026.
How Section 232 Works
Investigation
The Department of Commerce conducts an investigation (typically 270 days) to determine whether imports of a specific product threaten national security. The investigation considers:
- Domestic production capacity and its adequacy for defense needs
- Import penetration and its effect on domestic industry
- Employment and economic welfare of the domestic industry
- Revenue loss from excessive imports
Presidential Action
If Commerce finds a national security threat, the President has 90 days to decide on action. Options include:
- Tariffs (the most common choice)
- Quotas (quantity restrictions)
- Licensing requirements
- Negotiations with trading partners
No Expiration
Unlike Section 122 (which expires after 150 days), Section 232 tariffs have no statutory time limit. They remain in effect until the President decides to modify or revoke them.
Current Section 232 Tariffs (March 2026)
| Product | Rate | In Effect Since | Exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (all forms) | 25% | March 2018 | None (all country exemptions removed Feb 2025) |
| Aluminum (all forms) | 25% | March 2018 | None (all country exemptions removed Feb 2025) |
| Steel derivatives (nails, wire, etc.) | 25% | Feb 2025 | None |
| Aluminum derivatives (cans, foil, etc.) | 25% | Feb 2025 | None |
Key Changes in 2025-2026
- February 2025: All country-specific exemptions (including for Canada, Mexico, EU, Japan, and UK) were removed — the 25% rate now applies universally
- February 2025: Coverage expanded to include derivative steel and aluminum products
- Post-SCOTUS: Section 232 tariffs were not affected by the Supreme Court ruling (which only struck down IEEPA-based tariffs)
Tariff Stacking with Section 232
Section 232 tariffs stack on top of other tariff programs. A steel product can face:
| Authority | Rate |
|---|---|
| MFN base duty | 0-6.5% |
| Section 232 | 25% |
| Section 122 | 15% |
| Section 301 (if from China) | 7.5-25% |
| Total | 47.5-71.5% |
This stacking makes Section 232 particularly impactful for industries that depend on imported metals.
Legal Status
Section 232 has survived multiple legal challenges. The Court of International Trade and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals have upheld the President's authority to impose tariffs under this statute. The Supreme Court's February 2026 ruling on IEEPA did not question Section 232's constitutionality.
However, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum violate international trade rules. The U.S. has rejected these rulings, arguing that national security is a sovereign determination not subject to WTO oversight.
Related: Section 301 Tariffs | Section 122 | Industries Hit Hardest by 2026 Tariffs