Tariff expansions cut into power equipment
On August 15, the Department of Commerce significantly expanded Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum by adding 407 additional consumer items (see Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes) to its list. The newly covered products include power-equipment vehicles, parts and attachments, among many other professional and household items. This means the steel and aluminum content of these products will be subject to a 50 percent tariff. The non-steel and aluminum portion may be subject to reciprocal tariffs, increasing the uncertainty around trade for manufacturers based in the U.S. and abroad.
Presidential proclamation
The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security published a Federal Register notice on August 15, 2025. The additions were authorized under the presidential proclamations related to steel and aluminum from February 10, 2025, according to a post by Baker Donelson, a large U.S. law firm with practices in areas such as manufacturing, tax, transportation and logistics, and more. Baker adds that, “As there is no in-transit exception, the tariffs will apply immediately to products that are entered for consumption on August 18, 2025.” The firm writes that the Trump administration will have another opportunity to add derivative products to the tariffs is expected to be published in September 2025.
Baker advises companies that import these goods to evaluate supply chains, correspond with suppliers, and strategize regarding how to address these changes. It adds, “Reporting accurate information to Customs and Border Protection is critical due to the increase in enforcement. President Trump has directed his administration to strictly enforce trade laws with a focus on prosecuting tariff evasion.”
Confusion
Posting the additional import fees on a Friday left many trade professionals uncertain and the White House did not comment on the expanded business taxes, beyond saying that the President has been talking about tariffs for months, and “Today’s action should not come as a surprise,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
“Basically, if it’s shiny, metallic, or remotely related to steel or aluminum, it’s probably on the list,” Brian Baldwin, a vice president of customs in the US at logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel International AG, wrote in a post on LinkedIn. “This isn’t just another tariff — it’s a strategic shift in how steel and aluminum derivatives are regulated.”
The expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum also impact the powersports market, with motorcycles and UTVs facing increases import taxes. Motorcycle industry observers were left wondering why certain engine-size bikes were hit with tariffs while others weren’t.
The tariff expansion can impact manufacturers who import whole goods equipment, and those who bring in steel and aluminum for manufacturing in the U.S.
