Former President Donald Trump is preparing to ease parts of his aggressive tariff regime on steel and aluminium goods, signaling a strategic shift as economic concerns dominate the political landscape. The move comes amid mounting voter frustration over rising prices and ahead of crucial midterm elections in November.

Trump initially imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on steel and aluminium imports last summer, later expanding them to cover a wide array of products made from those metals, including household appliances such as washing machines and ovens. The policy was framed as a national security measure under Section 232 of US trade law, but critics argue it has increased costs for American consumers and businesses.

From Broad Tariffs to Targeted National Security Reviews

According to officials familiar with the matter, the administration is now reviewing the long and complex list of products subject to tariffs. Plans include exempting certain goods, halting further expansion of the tariff list, and shifting toward more targeted national security probes into specific categories of imports.

Trade officials at the Commerce Department and the Office of the US Trade Representative reportedly believe that the sweeping nature of the tariffs has contributed to higher prices for everyday goods. Items such as food and beverage cans, pie tins, and other metal-based consumer products have seen cost pressures, fueling concerns that the tariffs are worsening the affordability crisis.

Trump’s tariff campaign has pushed US import duties to their highest levels since before the Second World War. While the administration has consistently argued that foreign exporters bear the burden of these levies, many economists contend that American businesses and consumers ultimately absorb much of the cost.

Political Pressure Mounts Ahead of Midterm Elections

The potential rollback comes at a politically sensitive moment. Recent polling data shows more than 70 percent of US adults rate economic conditions as fair or poor. Over half of Americans believe Trump’s economic policies have worsened conditions, adding pressure on the administration to demonstrate responsiveness.

In response to rising grocery prices, the administration has already granted carve-outs for certain food-related imports. It also called a temporary truce in its trade dispute with China after Beijing retaliated with counter-tariffs. Now, the focus appears to be shifting toward easing tensions in the metals sector.

Political resistance to the tariff regime is growing, including within Trump’s own party. In a notable rebuke, members of the Republican Party joined Democrats in the House of Representatives to vote to overturn tariffs on Canada, the United States’ second-largest trading partner. Although Trump is expected to veto the measure, the vote underscores internal divisions and electoral anxieties among lawmakers facing tough re-election battles.

Business Impact and Administrative Complexity

Another motivation behind the review is the complexity of the current tariff system. Since the tariffs were introduced, US companies have been able to petition the government to impose additional duties on foreign competitors through an “inclusion process” managed by the Commerce Department.

This process has led to a sprawling and sometimes inconsistent list of goods facing tariffs, from bicycle parts to cake tins and mattresses. Businesses have complained about unpredictability in enforcement, including cases where identical shipments were charged different rates.

Officials reportedly believe the regime has become too complicated to administer effectively and that simplification is necessary. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and members of the European Union could benefit from any relaxation of duties.

Industry leaders, however, remain cautious. The American Iron and Steel Institute has emphasized that steel is a strategic national security asset and argues that maintaining Section 232 tariffs is essential to prevent surges of harmful imports.

Outlook: Trade Policy at a Crossroads

Looking ahead, the administration faces a delicate balancing act between protecting domestic industries and addressing voter concerns about rising prices. A targeted rollback of steel and aluminium tariffs could provide short-term relief to consumers and small businesses, while preserving broader national security objectives.

Investors and businesses will closely monitor how exemptions are structured, whether additional national security investigations are launched, and how trading partners respond. Risks remain if policy uncertainty continues or if new trade disputes emerge. However, opportunities may arise for global manufacturers and exporters if tariff burdens are reduced. As midterm elections approach, trade policy is likely to remain a central economic and political battleground.