The Alliance Calls for Revisions to the Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariff Inclusions Process
by Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager Jun 27, 2025

On June 16, 2025, PRINTING United Alliance, a member of the Tariff Reform Coalition, joined an industry associations letter urging the Department of Commerce to improve the Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariff Inclusions implementation process in order to minimize unintended consequences. The Section 232 inclusions process allows for the addition of new derivative articles under the existing steel and aluminum tariffs. This process is open to U.S. manufacturers and trade associations, and it provides a mechanism for products not currently covered by the tariffs to be considered for inclusion. 

The letter requests that Commerce amend the 232 implementation process to address several specific issues, including:

  • Extend time for public comment and hold a hearing;
  • Limit scope within Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers;
  • Provide expanded, clear and transparent inclusion criteria and dismiss petitions that do not meet them; and
  • Add a mechanism for removing derivative product designations if circumstances change.

The associations that signed the letter share the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting national security and bolstering domestic manufacturing. However, without clear guidelines, the process risks becoming an overly broad tool that could inadvertently weaken the very innovation, resilience, and manufacturing strength it seeks to preserve.

The letter urges the Commerce Department to adopt a transparent, targeted, and responsive framework. A carefully tailored approach—shaped by continued input from industry—can help prevent unintended harm to U.S. competitiveness while advancing the mutual goals of the Commerce Department and American manufacturers.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

Companies that filed an inclusion petition will receive a positive or negative determination from Commerce after a 60-day review. The determinations will be publicly posted on regulations.gov.

In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, discusses the Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariff inclusions process. 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.       

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Stephanie Buka Government Affairs Manager
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Stephanie Buka is the Government Affairs Manager for PRINTING United Alliance. In this role, she supports Ford Bowers, CEO, the Government Affairs team, and coordinates efforts with contracted lobbying firm, ACG Advocacy. Buka is the chief editor of the Industry Advocate newsletter. She is responsible for advocacy campaigns, policy analysis, strategy development and team leadership, all aimed at promoting the Alliance's legislative agenda. She is also responsible for the administration of the Alliance's political action committee, PrintPAC.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Buka served as a senior legislative researcher, and later as a constituent services coordinator, for the 15-member legislative body representing 1.3 million residents of Allegheny County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to drafting legislation and addressing constituent concerns, Buka cultivated strong relationships with appointed and elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels of government.

Buka holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). She also earned a master's degree in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, along with a Certificate in Forensic Science and Law from Duquesne University.

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