Trump extends the 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to 407 more product categories.

By subtly extending its 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to over 400 new product categories, the Trump administration has significantly increased the scope and influence of this trade policy tool.

President Donald Trump had previously proposed charges on the precious goods, but the latest tariffs, which went into effect Monday, broaden their scope. Products including fire extinguishers, building supplies, machinery, and specialty chemicals that either contain or are contained in steel or aluminum are now included in the tariff list.

On LinkedIn, Brian Baldwin, vice president of customs at Kuehne + Nagel International AG, stated, “Basically, if it’s shiny, metallic, or even remotely related to steel or aluminum, it’s probably on the list.” This includes auto parts, chemicals, plastics, and furniture components.

“This is a strategic change in the regulation of steel and aluminum derivatives, not just another tariff,” he added.

The Department of Commerce announced on Tuesday that the taxes now apply to 407 new product categories.

In a statement, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler said, “Today’s action expands the reach of the steel and aluminum tariffs and shuts down avenues for circumvention — supporting the continued revitalization of the American steel and aluminum industries.”

The agency’s announcement points to a list that only uses the unique customs codes that relate to the newly added product types—not the actual names of the products—to identify them.

For instance, Commerce only uses the 10-digit number “8424.10.0000,” which is buried among hundreds of other 10-digit codes, to identify the product category of fire extinguishers.

The public finds it extremely challenging to obtain a comprehensive understanding of all the products affected by Monday’s increased tariffs due to this structure.

However, experts predict a huge impact.

According to Jason Miller, a supply chain management professor at Michigan State University, “the steel and aluminum tariffs now affect at least $320 billion of imports based on 2024’s general customs value of imports,” Miller posted on LinkedIn.

He said, “This will increase inflationary cost-push pressures on top of the already rising prices domestic producers are charging, as indicated by July’s PPI data.”

In order to implement his comprehensive trade agenda, President Donald Trump has frequently turned to sector-specific tariffs.

Businesses and U.S. trading partners who depend on the expensive commodities were left feeling extremely uneasy when Trump announced in June that he was increasing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum to 50% for the majority of countries.

When CNBC asked the White House if the additional metal tariffs are in addition to the country-specific duties that Trump has already imposed, the White House did not immediately react.