Trump said that beginning on 8 February, the 25% steel tariff will apply to certain derivative products, things such as nails, tacks, staples and certain automotive components. The administration said it was taking the step as the steel industry’s capacity utilization rate has yet to hold at or above the 80% mark, as intended. 

At the same time, imports of derivative items have increased even as imports of mill products have generally declined. 

“The net effect of the increase of imports of these derivatives has been to erode the customer base for U.S. producers of aluminum and steel and undermine the purpose of the proclamations adjusting imports of aluminum and steel articles to remove the threatened impairment of the national security,” the administration said. 

Imports from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea are excluded. 

Commodities news and pricing provider Argus has more coverage here.