The Biden administration on Friday signed a proclamation imposing a 200% tariff on aluminum imports from Russia, saying such imports pose a threat to national security, based on an investigation by the U.S. Commerce Secretary.
The tariff also applies to aluminum extrusions imported from Russia. For aluminum products imported directly from Russia, the policy will take effect on March 10, 2023. On April 10, 2023, the United States will impose tariffs on any imports of aluminum smelted in Russia, regardless of the aluminum content.
Aluminum is a common material in solar module frames, brackets and structural mounts used in photovoltaic arrays.
These new aluminum tariffs accompany a 25% tariff imposed in 2018 and extended to all structural steel imports from China in March 2022.
Russia is the fifth largest importer of aluminum to the United States. President Biden called the conflict between Russia and Ukraine "unconscionable," and the announcement noted that "the aluminum industry is a critical part of Russia's defense industrial base."
The announcement said the tariffs were also aimed at promoting domestic aluminum production in the United States.