The White House released a list of various chemicals and energy products that are exempt from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. The levies were set to begin April 9, but are now limited to a baseline 10% tariff for 90 days for most countries, excluding China.
Substances include PFAS-based chemicals, such as perfluorooctane sulfonamides (PFOSA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); titanium dioxide, used for automotive and aerospace coatings; lithium oxide, used to make lithium-ion batteries resistant to degradation; and silicon, used to produce semiconductor wafers and solar panels.
The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates noted in a statement April 3 that its members are facing higher costs for raw materials they rely on and are unavailable at scale in the U.S.
“These sudden shifts are occurring in the context of complex, global supply chains and long-standing customer commitments,” SOCMA said in the statement. “The stakes are high, and so is the pressure to adapt quickly.”
In addition to tariffs, chemical manufacturers and trade groups are concerned about the impacts of the Trump administration’s proposed rule unveiled in February to investigate China’s policies and practices in its maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. If finalized, the investigation could lead to restrictions on U.S. goods and maritime service fees of up to $1.5 million, according to the rule.
