On February 1, 2025, to equalize international trade and protect U.S. based industries, President Donald Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. He cited illegal immigration, the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., and trade deficits as national emergencies. On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff to be applied to all nations importing goods to the U.S. and sweeping reciprocal tariffs that vary by nation.
These actions prompted at least seven legal challenges. Two cases, one from small businesses and another from 12 states, were consolidated by the U.S. Court of International Trade. The businesses argued that broad tariffs required congressional approval, while the states claimed trade deficits did not meet IEEPA’s threshold of an “unusual and extraordinary threat.”
Court Decisions
On May 28, 2025, the trade court ruled that President Trump overstepped his authority by imposing some of the new broad tariffs under IEEPA and ordered that they be rescinded and monies collected refunded. A day later, the Trump administration appealed, and the U.S. Court of Appeals stayed the trade court’s decision and temporarily reinstated the tariffs while reviewing the case. After receiving written arguments, on June 10, 2025, the court granted a longer-term stay maintaining the tariffs for now. The court will hear oral arguments on July 31, 2025.
What’s Next?
For now, the tariffs issued by President Trump under IEEPA remain in place. Here are the IEEPA tariffs that are temporarily in effect while the appellate courts deliberate:
Global tariffs: 10% baseline tariff imposed on all countries, except for Canada, Mexico and China.
Canada and Mexico: 25% tariffs on products imported from Canada and Mexico, with a lower 10% rate on potash, energy and energy resources from Canada.
China: 30% tariff on products imported from China (20% IEEPA tariff plus an additional 10% baseline tariff). These are separate from tariffs imposed under Section 301 of the Tariff Act of 1974, ranging from 7.5% to 100% on Chinese-origin goods.
Duty-free de minimis: Imports under $800 do not qualify for duty-free de minimis treatment.
Reciprocal tariffs: Country-specific tariffs on 57 nations, with rates ranging from 11% to 50%, will take effect July 9, 2025, apart from China which did not receive a 90-day pause.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that reciprocal tariffs on countries that are currently in negotiations with the administration may receive an extension on the pause that ends July 9, 2025.
Whether the appellate courts side with the lower court and rule that IEEPA does not grant the president authority to impose tariffs remains to be seen. The Trump administration indicated that they are operating on the assumption that the appellate courts will uphold the tariffs. However, if they lose on appeal, the administration plans to use other statutes to pursue the president’s tariff agenda.
The outcome hinges on legal decisions, political dynamics, and time. This uncertainty is compounded by the administration’s June 2025 announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum, which are not part of the litigation.
New Tariffs on Aluminum and Steel
President Trump has doubled Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 tariffs on steel and aluminum—from 25% to 50%—effective June 4, 2025. While the move is intended to protect U.S. producers from global overcapacity and unfair trade practices, it is expected to raise costs for domestic manufacturers and contribute to higher prices for consumers.
Here’s what to know:
- Aluminum/Steel: 50% tariff rate applies to all countries importing aluminum and steel to the U.S., unless covered under the Section 232 tariff of 25% on automobiles and auto parts. Derivative products containing both aluminum and steel owe tariffs on the value of both the aluminum and steel content of the product.
- Automobiles and Auto Parts: 25% tariff rate on imports of automobiles and certain auto parts.
- Canada/Mexico: Products subject to the Section 232 tariffs at a 50% rate will not be subject to additional IEEPA tariffs.
- U.K.: 25% tariff rate on steel and aluminum, per a proclamation issued by President Trump on June 3, 2025, which pointed to a trade deal reached between the two countries.
- Russia: Aluminum remains subject to a tariff rate of 200%.
Additional guidance posted via Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can be found below:
- CSMS # 65236574 – Stacking guidance
- CSMS # 65236645 – Aluminum guidance
- CSMS # 65236374 – Steel guidance
Final Thoughts
The impact will be felt across industries that depend on these materials, including the printing sector. Aluminum is essential for producing lithographic printing plates, while steel is widely used in press structures and various machine components. The production capacity needed to replace these imports simply does not exist domestically.
PRINTING United Alliance advocates for the removal of Section 232 tariffs and quotas on steel and aluminum, because they impose significant costs on downstream manufacturers in the printing industry. These tariffs raise prices for essential inputs, reduce global competitiveness, and strain supply chains—particularly for specialized steel and aluminum products that are not readily available from domestic sources.
Without an exemption process, as was offered in 2018, businesses are left with few options. Removing these tariffs would lower production costs, support downstream industries, and restore balance to U.S. trade policy by focusing on collaboration to promote American manufacturing.
As the legal battles continue, and the printing industry braces itself for more tariff uncertainty, the Alliance’s Government Affairs team will monitor and report on any developments.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, provides an update on trade and tariffs. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislation or reach out to Steph should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.