The Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump administration is exploring additional tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, targeting six industries including batteries, industrial chemicals, and plastic piping. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), prompting the White House to seek alternative legal authority to protect national security and domestic manufacturing. Overseas chemical and materials suppliers should monitor these developments closely, as they could significantly alter trade costs and market access for key industrial inputs.
Background and legal basis
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act allows the U.S. president to impose tariffs on imports deemed to threaten national security. There is no statutory cap on tariff rates or duration, but the process requires a Commerce Department investigation. Once triggered, the president can adjust rates unilaterally. The recent Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs did not affect Section 232, making it a preferred tool for the administration.
Products under review
According to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, citing multiple sources, the potential new Section 232 tariffs could cover large-scale batteries, cast iron and iron connecting parts, plastic piping, industrial chemicals, and power grid and telecommunications equipment. These categories represent significant supply-chain inputs for construction, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
Existing and ongoing Section 232 actions
In his second term, President Trump has already applied Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, trucks, and auto parts. Currently, investigations are underway for nine additional industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, drones, industrial robots, and polysilicon for solar panels. Some probes have been pending for nearly a year, but the Supreme Court ruling may accelerate conclusions.
Potential changes to tariff calculation
The Wall Street Journal also reported that the administration is revising the structure of steel and aluminum tariffs. Currently, tariffs apply only to the value of the metal content within a product. A shift to taxing the full product value could dramatically increase effective duty rates, even if nominal rates are lowered. This change would directly impact importers of finished goods containing these metals.
What buyers should watch
Chemical and materials buyers should prepare for potential cost increases and supply disruptions. The administration is also considering using Section 301 of the Trade Act to address "excess production capacity" in Asian countries, which could lead to country-specific tariffs. USTR representative Jamieson Greer stated that policy goals remain unchanged, only the legal mechanisms are shifting. Importers should review their sourcing strategies and contract terms to mitigate tariff exposure.
Source: Read the original report | Published: February 24, 2026