US manufacturers demand 700 items face tariffs under Trump’s steel crackdown: What it means for global trade

Businesses worldwide brace for extra Trump tariffs on steel imports

Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has launched a series of tariff measures against countries worldwide. Now, businesses across the globe are bracing for a new wave of levies targeting goods ranging from bicycles to baking trays, as American manufacturers push for hundreds of additional imports to be taxed.

According to a Guardian report, American firms have petitioned the US Department of Commerce to include around 700 new items on top of the 407 products already facing extra tariffs due to their steel content. The existing list, introduced in August, covers products such as furniture parts, industrial machinery, and farm equipment.

The move has alarmed manufacturers across Europe, who fear that the expanding list of “steel derivatives” could undermine recently negotiated trade agreements with Washington.

In the current scenario, the UK has a baseline tariff of 10% on all goods and 25% on steel, while the EU has agreed to rates of 25% and 50% respectively. Exporters argue that the new derivative tariffs could effectively double taxation, as they would apply both to the steel components and the finished products.

Requests submitted before the 21 October deadline mark the second consultation in three months. Analysts note that nearly all applications made in August were approved, prompting concerns that most of the newly proposed goods will also be added, potentially impacting exporters by December or January.

Who are the petitioners? 

Among the petitioners are Guardian Bikes from Indiana, tomato-canning company Red Gold, firms making steel wheels for trucks, and several industrial machine manufacturers.

In an 11-page appeal to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Guardian Bikes argued that the domestic bicycle industry “was lost” amid the import of 11 million bicycles in 2024. While blaming China for “severe competition,” the company’s request for inclusion would extend duties globally, affecting brands such as Brompton in the UK and Pinarello or Bianchi in Italy.

Red Gold, which sources tomatoes from farms across Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, complained in its 12-page submission that it currently faces tariffs of 25% on tinplate steel from the UK and 50% on imports from other countries used in its cans.

Two major kitchenware firms, American Pan and Chicago Metallic, also called for new duties, claiming China was “flooding the market” with cheap commercial bakeware, giving Chinese manufacturers an “unfair advantage.”

Trade experts, including George Riddell of advisory firm Flint Global, warned that Washington’s expanding approach to tariff lists could further strain relations with allies.

“The US have taken a very liberal, expansive approach to including new requests with almost zero requests for inclusion rejected last time round,” Riddell said, adding that the move reflected “uncertainty in the relationship with the UK and the EU despite having these deals.”

A final decision on the updated list is expected in December, 60 days after the latest consultation period closed.