Call to Extend Steel Tariffs to Appliances

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) has urged the Department of Commerce to expand Section 232 tariffs on steel derivative products to cover the full value of imported steel-intensive appliances, citing a surge in foreign imports undermining domestic manufacturing.

In a letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Under Secretary for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler, the Senator expressed concern that appliances such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators are entering the U.S. market with minimal or no duties, despite being made with foreign steel that would otherwise be subject to Section 232 tariffs.

“Imports of major home appliances have doubled since 2018 from four Asian countries, all of which import significant quantities of Chinese appliance-grade steel,” the Senator wrote, warning that these imports are undermining U.S. appliance makers and circumventing the intent of the original national security tariffs.

In January 2018, the Trump administration imposed tariffs of 20% to 50% on large residential washing machines, prompting Korean manufacturers LG and Samsung to expand their stateside production.  

The 232 tariffs, imposed in 2018, were designed to support a target of 80% capacity utilization in the U.S. steel sector. Domestic appliance manufacturers—including companies in Ohio like Whirlpool—rely on American-made steel and U.S.-based supply chains. The Senator argued that including finished appliances under the tariff umbrella would increase demand for domestic steel, protect American jobs, and strengthen industrial capacity.

First reported by Semafor, the letter calls for Commerce to fully consider expanding the existing derivative product tariffs to include the total value of imported appliances constructed from foreign steel.

https://www.moreno.senate.gov/media/letters/