On February 13, 2026, major news outlets reported a significant shift in U.S. trade policy.
According to the Financial Times (and echoed by Reuters, Bloomberg, and others), President Donald Trump is planning to scale back some of the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This comes after aggressive increases in 2025 that raised duties up to 50% on many foreign metals and related products.
The move appears to respond to rising consumer prices, complaints about affordability, and political pressures. While no official White House announcement has confirmed the details yet, the reports cite people familiar with the administration's thinking.
What Are Tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes that a government places on imported goods. Their main goals can include Protecting domestic industries (e.g., U.S. steel mills) from cheaper foreign competition.
Raising government revenue. Pressuring other countries on trade practices (like overproduction in China).
Also others tariffs often increase the cost of imported items, which can lead to higher prices for businesses and consumers.
Background: The 2025 Tariff Increases
In 2025 the Trump administration imposed or expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum: Duties reached up to 50% on many imports (doubling from earlier levels in some cases).
These applied not just to raw steel and aluminum but also to derivative products like cans, appliances, car parts, washing machines, and more.
The policy aimed to counter Chinese overcapacity and boost American manufacturing.
Effects of the High Tariffs
While intended to help U.S. producers, the broad tariffs had side effects: Higher prices for everyday items (e.g., canned drinks, cars, construction materials).
Increased costs for U.S. companies that rely on imported metals or parts.
Complaints from consumers facing an affordability crisis and some voter backlash, which reportedly affected approval ratings ahead of midterms.
International tensions, including calls from the European Union to rein in the levies as part of ongoing trade talks.
The Reported Plan to Scale Back
Key points from today's reports (primarily Financial Times, confirmed in Bloomberg and Reuters): The administration is reviewing the list of affected products.
Plans include: Exempting certain items from tariffs.
Halting further broad expansions of the tariff lists.
Shifting focus to more targeted national security probes on specific goods instead of wide-ranging levies.
This is a partial rollback not a full removal of all tariffs.
The White House has reportedly communicated adjustments to companies, but exact details (which products, when) remain unclear. Agencies like the USTR and Commerce Department have not commented publicly yet.
Why This Change Now?
Several factors likely contribute: Economic pressure: High tariffs contributed to inflation in metal-dependent sectors, raising costs for American families and businesses.
Political considerations: With voter concerns about prices and approval dips mentioned in reports, easing some burdens could help politically.
Trade negotiations: The EU and others have pushed back, and narrowing tariffs might help secure deals.
Practical issues: Broad tariffs were hard for companies to calculate and comply with, leading to calls for more targeted approaches.
Potential Impacts Positive for consumers: Lower or no tariffs on some goods could reduce prices for cans, appliances, vehicles, and building materials.
Help for manufacturers: U.S. companies using imported metals might face lower input costs.
Mixed for domestic steel/aluminum producers: They may lose some protection, but targeted measures could still support national security priorities.
Markets: Aluminum prices fell slightly in London after the reports, showing investor reaction.
Global trade: This could ease tensions with trading partners like the EU, Canada, and others affected by the 2025 hikes.
What Happens Next?
This is based on sourced reporting, not an official statement. Watch for: Official announcements from the White House, USTR, or Commerce Department.
Details on which products get exemptions.
Reactions from industries, trading partners, and markets.
Trade policy changes like this show how governments balance protectionism with economic realities. Tariffs can protect jobs in one sector but raise costs elsewhere finding the right mix is always a challenge.This story is developing quickly on February 13, 2026.
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