Trump expands steel tariffs to home appliances, sets rate at 50%

A range of imported household appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators and more, will be subject to President Donald Trump's expanded steel tariffs starting later this month, according to a notice posted on Thursday.

The tariffs, currently set at 50 percent for most countries, will take effect on an additional range of "steel derivative products" on June 23, the Commerce Department said in the notice.

It is the second time since Trump initially raised tariffs on imported steel and aluminum – first to 25 percent starting in March and then to 50 percent this month – that his administration has expanded the list of derivative products affected by the levies. Just before the first round of duties was set to take effect in March, nearly 300 product categories, covering everything from horseshoes to bulldozer blades, were added to the list.

This time, eight product lines were included: combined refrigerator-freezers; small and large dryers; washing machines; dishwashers; chest and upright freezers; cooking stoves, ranges and ovens; food waste disposals; and welded wire racks.

"The tariff imposed ... will be assessed on these derivative products for the value of the steel content in each product," the Federal Register posting said.

One week ago, the Trump administration doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent, following a series of similar actions targeting automobiles, auto parts and a variety of other goods from many of America's trading partners. The government said the move was necessary to address "trade practices that undermine national security."

(With input from Reuters)