PRINTING United Alliance welcomed a recent tariff modification that reduces duties on aluminum lithographic printing plates from 50% to 25%, providing important relief to printers facing significant cost pressures. The change was included in a June 1, 2026, White House Proclamation: “Further Adjusting the Tariff Regimes for Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States” amending Proclamation 11021. An accompanying Fact Sheet and U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance address the updated Section 232 tariffs on imports of aluminum, steel, and copper into the U.S.
Aluminum lithographic printing plates were subject to a 50% tariff beginning August 1, 2025, under a presidential proclamation that increased Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum. The proclamation applied the higher tariff rate to imports from all countries except the United Kingdom and was presented by the administration as part of a broader effort to address subsidized metals from China and protect U.S. producers.
While the policy was aimed at strengthening domestic metals production, the impact quickly reached downstream manufacturers, including the printing industry. Aluminum is a critical printing industry input, and higher plate costs placed additional strain on printers already operating in a challenging business environment. Many printers have had no choice but to absorb inflated costs or pass them along to customers.
The tariff burden came on top of existing trade pressures. In 2024, the Department of Commerce announced steep increases in antidumping and countervailing duties on aluminum lithographic printing plates imported from China and Japan. PRINTING United Alliance joined a cross-industry coalition opposing those duties, warning in comments to the U.S. International Trade Commission that excessive duties could increase costs, limit supply, jeopardize jobs, and threaten the viability of many small businesses. That advocacy helped keep attention on the real-world impact of trade policy on printers, particularly as the administration moved to revise the broader Section 232 tariff structure.
Under the updated tariff framework, derivative articles substantially made of aluminum, including lithographic printing plates, are now subject to a 25% tariff on their full customs value.
The Alliance sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick thanking him for recommending that the administration lower the tariff rate on aluminum lithographic printing plates. While the Alliance continues to advocate for broader tariff relief and a more predictable trade environment for print manufacturers, this reduction represents meaningful progress for an industry that relies on affordable and accessible plate supply.
This outcome also underscores the importance of sustained advocacy. Through legislative fly-ins, coalition engagement, particularly with the Tariff Reform Coalition, and direct outreach to policymakers, the Alliance has consistently elevated the real-world impact of tariffs on printers and the broader print supply chain. The reduction from 50% to 25% demonstrates that when the industry speaks with one voice, policymakers listen.
The Alliance will continue working to ensure that trade policy supports, rather than undermines, the competitiveness of American printers, many of which are small and mid-sized businesses serving communities, customers, and industries across the country.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on a tariff reduction on aluminum lithographic printing plates. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislationor 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.