Trade & Tariff Terms

The legal authorities behind U.S. tariffs — which statute a given tariff runs on, how long it can last, and how that affects household costs.

• Section 338 Tariff

  A tariff of up to 50% imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 against a country found to discriminate against U.S. commerce — unused since 1949 until its 2026 revival against Canada.

• Section 232 Tariff

  A national-security tariff imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 — the authority behind existing U.S. duties on steel, aluminum, and timber/lumber imports, including from Canada.