On August 15, 2025, the United States broadened its 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum to cover more than 400 additional product categories, significantly expanding the scope and impact of its trade policy. The additional duties are applied on virtually all imported finished goods made with steel or aluminum, from baby strollers to kitchen appliances to knives and tools.
The new duties became effective as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on August 18. The newly announced duties apply to the steel and aluminum content of derivative products, meaning that, in addition to raw steel and aluminum, virtually all forms of fixed blades and folding knives are included in the newly expanded product categories found in Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This week, the effects began rippling through the knife industry, leaving members attempting to understand the impacts additional tariffs will have on their businesses.
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This is a huge deal, and American companies like CRKT and Boker USA are particularly vulnerable. Fox, Lionsteel, and other European based companies are going to suffer too, but their exposure is likely different. Obviously, the Chinese companies like WE, Kizer, and Artisan are going to be clobbered.
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