The Trump administration has made a rolling set of announcements on the application of tariffs on imports into the United States of America. Ai Group will update this page as we gain more understanding of the quantum and application of these tariffs.
As with all major disruptions, the most important thing that companies can do is focus on communication and relationships. Make sure that you are communicating regularly with your customers, suppliers, service providers and peers.
In some applications of the tariffs on imports from some countries, the percentage of US content is excluded from the new tariff upon application to the US Commerce Department. It is essential that you understand your supply chain and have robust material data processes so that you can support your US-based customer in any application that they may make.
Please note the effective dates.
25% on all steel and aluminium and their derivatives (products with significant % of metal) effective 12:01 a.m. USA Eastern Daylight Time on March 12, 2025.
25 % on automotive; passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks and their parts(engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components) from all countries effective 12:01 USA Eastern Daylight Time on April 3, 2025.
10 % on most other Australian products
Australian goods are not subject to cumulative tariffs (steel + auto part + Australia), however Chinese products are, which means a 54% tariff for them.
Which tariff is for me? The hierarchy of tariffs appears to be Steel, then automotive, then baseline.
The tariff is applied by product, not company. An Australian company sending Chinese-made product to the US, will be hit by a 54% tariff, not 10%. It is important to understand your supply chain and country of origin of your products.
Exporters paying under the following International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) will be responsible for paying the tariffs.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): The seller (exporter) takes on the maximum responsibility, covering all costs, including import duties and taxes, and delivering the goods to the named place, cleared for import.
All other Incoterms: the importer is responsible for paying all import charges.
They will be calculated on the FOB (Freight on board) value of the product.
De minimis on imports from China removed. Full tariffs apply.
Our estimate of impact to Australian exports.
When they will end?
Will there be more?
Will the current figures change?
Will current exemptions be included later on, potentially announced 9 April?
The impact on individual economies, especially our major trading partners.
How individual economies or companies will react, or what the consequences of that rection might be.
Impact on the Australian economy, positive or negative.
Currency exchange impacts.
Email industry.policy@aigroup.com.au with questions and stories we can use for advocacy on your behalf.
Evidence of Australian Origin will grow in importance. Ai Group offers this service to members. Email tradedocs@aigroup.com.au
Austrade and partners invite industry and exporters to attend a briefing on US tariffs changes.
Join representatives from Federal, State and Territory departments for an update on the latest on US tariffs and support available for businesses navigating the changes.
The briefing will include a Q&A session.
How Broad-Based Tariffs Put U.S. Growth, Prosperity at Risk
27 March, 2025
The Workplace Advice Line is Ai Group’s national telephone advisory service for all your on the spot workplace related questions.
Call the Workplace Advice Line
1300 55 66 77 and press option 1
(Overseas: +61 3 9867 0100). Email: workplaceadvice@aigroup.com.au
Weekdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm
(Australian Eastern Daylight/Standard Time)
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