The United States continues to expand the use of Section 232 as a trade policy and national security mechanism. During August 2026, two relevant measures were announced that may directly impact Mexican exports: the imposition of new tariffs on drones and their components, and the initiation of a process to incorporate 14 new steel, aluminum, and copper derivative products into the Section 232 tariff framework.
1. New tariffs on drones and their parts
On August 13, 2026, the President of the United States issued a proclamation establishing new tariffs on certain imports of drones, docking stations, and components, following an investigation conducted under Section 232.
What are the new tariffs?
Effective September 3, 2026:
- 100% ad valorem tariff on:
- Drones with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 25 kg.
- Drones with thermal imaging capabilities.
- Certain docking stations and critical components.
- 25% ad valorem tariff on drones with a maximum takeoff weight of less than 25 kg.
Effective February 9, 2027:
- 25% ad valorem tariff on certain drone components.
The measure provides differentiated treatment for certain trading partners, subject to compliance with specific conditions related to the origin of critical components and the technology used. In addition, the tariffs established under this measure may be applied in addition to other applicable duties.
Impact on Mexico
Mexico represents the leading country of origin for U.S. imports covered by this measure.
During 2025, the United States imported approximately USD 6.936 billion from Mexico of the products analyzed, representing 22% of total U.S. imports of these goods.
According to the information presented in the tables included in the document, approximately 92% of imports from Mexico are mainly concentrated in:
- Boards, panels, consoles, and other bases for electrical control or distribution.
- Certain parts of airplanes or helicopters.
In particular, HTSUS classification 8537.10.9170 accounted for approximately USD 4.823 billion in 2025, while classification 8807.30.0030 recorded approximately USD 1.515 billion.
Drawback
The proclamation provides for the possibility of claiming Drawback with respect to the Section 232 tariffs, subject to compliance with certain requirements.
Among other conditions, the document states that the product must:
- Not be subject to antidumping or countervailing duties.
- Be a product of certain trading partners, including Mexico and Canada.
- Have at least 85% content originating from a trade agreement partner country.
2. Proposal to include new steel, aluminum, and copper derivative products
On August 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) published a notice requesting comments on a proposal to incorporate 14 new steel, aluminum, and copper derivative products into the Section 232 tariff framework.
Products covered by the proposal
The proposal mainly includes:
50% tariff on the value of the metal content
- Steel containers filled with certain chemical products.
25% ad valorem tariff
Including, among others:
- Electric conductor cables.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Parts of heat exchange units.
- Tanker trailers and tanker semi-trailers.
- Safes.
- Parts of hydraulic engines and machinery.
- Other trailers and semi-trailers.
- Parts of welding machines and apparatus.
- Aluminum powder.
- Certain cranes and mobile lifting structures.
- Brass-wind musical instruments and their parts.
15% ad valorem tariff
- Self-loading or self-unloading trailers and semi-trailers for agricultural use.
Current status of the proceeding
This second measure is still under review and, based on the attached document, does not yet constitute a final tariff.
USDOC opened a 21-day comment period, from August 6 through August 27, 2026. Among the factors to be considered are:
- Steel, aluminum, or copper content of the products.
- Import volumes.
- The ability of U.S. industry to meet domestic demand.
- The economic impact of including these goods as derivative products subject to Section 232.
In light of the foregoing, J.A. Del Río remains at your disposal to assist you with this situation, which may create questions and uncertainty regarding your Foreign Trade operations.
J.A. DEL RÍO offers a wide array of specialized consulting services to assist you with these and other matters, in order to ensure that your project complies with the applicable characteristics contained in this agreement.
If you have any questions, J.A. DEL RÍO can provide you with our experts to advise in matters concerning compliance with your legal and tax obligations. Once again, please let us know if we may be of any further assistance to you at: contacto@jadelrio.com.
