A New Era for Tariff Coverage

President Trump’s June executive order doubled existing steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%, effective June 4, 2025, with the stated goal of revitalizing American metals industries. Then, on August 18, the new expansion kicked in – moving well beyond raw materials and now sweeping in hundreds of finished goods and components that contain even trace amounts of steel or aluminum, according to the White House Fact Sheet.

For contractors, the immediate concern is cost. Jason Miller, a professor of supply chain management at Michigan State University, estimates the tariffs now affect over $320 billion in annual imports, up from $190 billion before the expansion. “This will add more inflationary cost-push pressures to already climbing prices,” Miller wrote on LinkedIn.

Loopholes and Inclusion Process Spur a Rush of Applicants

Critical to the latest expansion is the so-called “inclusion process” – a mechanism that allowed companies to petition for tariffs on products they claimed were threatened by foreign competition. According to the Department of Commerce, more than 400 applicants – some with little or no direct competition in the U.S. or abroad – successfully secured tariff coverage for their goods, effectively shielding themselves from imported rivals.

The product list itself is dense with technical jargon – each item referenced by a 10-digit customs code, such as “8424.10.0000” for fire extinguishers – making it difficult for the public to quickly grasp which goods are now covered. But for contractors, the big takeaway is the sweeping scope: everything from truck trailers to auto parts to the specialty hardware found in HVAC assemblies is potentially on the list, according to International Trade Insights.

What Contractors Should Watch For

Industry analysts warn that the expanded tariffs will likely drive up prices for sheet metal, ductwork, mounting brackets, and other components essential to HVAC and building trades. The precise impact will depend on supply chain specifics, but the message from Washington is clear: the days of “business as usual” for imported metal products are over.

Contractors should review purchase orders, check with suppliers about tariff status, and consult the official product inclusion lists published by the Department of Commerce.

As more details emerge, trade associations and legal experts recommend staying close to industry groups and monitoring updates from the Federal Register and Department of Commerce. With so many categories now under tariff protection – and many added through a fast-moving inclusion process – contractors should expect further changes ahead.