Introduction

Since returning to office in 2025, the Trump administration has reinstated and expanded sector-specific tariffs concentrated in strategic manufacturing, clean energy, advanced technology, and industrial metals. The current tariff structure is primarily implemented through Section 301 measures targeting China and Section 232 national security tariffs on steel and aluminum. Rates in targeted sectors now range from 25% to 100%, substantially above pre-2018 levels and focused on industries linked to industrial policy, supply-chain resilience, and strategic competition.¹²

Contextual background

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 authorizes tariffs in response to unfair trade practices, while Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 permits trade restrictions on national security grounds. These instruments have become central tools in US trade policy since 2018 and were expanded further beginning in 2025.

Current sectoral tariff structure

1. Clean energy and electric vehicles (EVs)

EVs from China: 100% ad valorem tariff²
Lithium-ion EV batteries: 25% tariff (raised from previous lower levels)²
Non-EV lithium-ion batteries: 25% tariff²
Solar cells and modules: 50% tariff²

These measures target sectors central to clean energy supply chains and industrial competitiveness.

2. Advanced manufacturing and technology

Semiconductors (specified categories from China): 50% tariff²
Ship-to-shore cranes: 25% tariff²
Selected strategic manufacturing inputs: 25%–50%, depending on product classification²

These tariff increases focus on upstream technologies and capital goods considered strategically sensitive.

3. Critical minerals

Processed critical minerals and derivative products from China: 25% tariff.²

The measures affect inputs used in batteries, electronics, and defense-related manufacturing.

4. Industrial metals (Section 232 measures)

Steel imports (most origins): 25% ad valorem tariff.³
Aluminum imports (most origins): 10% ad valorem tariff, with some country-specific quota arrangements.³

Section 232 tariffs remain in place and continue to apply broadly, subject to negotiated tariff-rate quotas for selected partners.

5. Selected medical and infrastructure-related goods

Certain medical products (e.g., syringes and personal protective equipment): Up to 50% tariff.²

These measures are framed as resilience-oriented and aimed at strengthening domestic production capacity.

Conclusion

The current tariff regime under the Trump administration is highly concentrated in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and industrial metals. Sectoral rates range from 25% to 100%, with the highest levels applied to EVs and selected strategic technologies from China. The structure reflects a continued reliance on trade remedies and national security instruments as tools of industrial and strategic policy, contributing to elevated tariff barriers in key sectors relative to the pre-2018 baseline.