Trump Considers Reducing Aluminum and Steel Tariffs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 13 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CLF?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Tariff Policy Shift: President Trump is considering reducing aluminum and steel tariffs, a potential policy change that has garnered significant market attention and is expected to positively impact the related industries.
- Industry Response: Following the news, aluminum and steel sector stocks rose on Friday, reflecting investor optimism regarding the potential tariff reductions, which could enhance corporate profitability.
- Market Impact: If tariffs are lowered, production costs may decrease, thereby improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, fostering economic growth, and creating job opportunities.
- Strategic Implications: This policy adjustment could not only enhance the domestic market environment but also influence international trade relations, particularly in negotiations with major aluminum and steel producing countries.
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Analyst Views on CLF
Wall Street analysts forecast CLF stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
5 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 9.550
Low
5.75
Averages
12.78
High
17.00
Current: 9.550
Low
5.75
Averages
12.78
High
17.00
About CLF
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is a steel producer with a focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. Its offering includes advanced high-strength steel, hot-dipped galvanized, aluminized, galvalume, electrogalvanized, galvanneal, hot-rolled coil (HRC), cold-rolled coil, plate, grain oriented electrical steel (GOES), non-oriented electrical steel (NOES), stainless steels, tool and die, stamped components, rail, slab and cast ingot. Its Other Businesses primarily include the Tubular and Tooling and Stamping segments that provide customer solutions with carbon and stainless steel tubing products, advanced-engineered solutions, tool design and build, hot- and cold-stamped steel components and complex assemblies.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Cleveland-Cliffs Appoints New Lead Independent Director
- Board Leadership Change: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has appointed Ralph “Mike” Michael III as the new Lead Independent Director, succeeding Douglas Taylor who resigned due to a change in professional circumstances, ensuring stability and continuity in the board's leadership.
- Enhanced Strategic Perspective: New director Mike Michael previously served as Chairman of AK Steel, successfully guiding its acquisition by Cleveland-Cliffs, and his extensive experience in the steel industry and capital markets will provide a more strategic perspective for the company and its shareholders.
- New Compensation Committee Chair: Edilson Camara has been appointed as the Chairman of the Compensation and Organization Committee, replacing the resigned Taylor; Camara is well-respected in the global executive search and leadership advisory field, enhancing the board's overall governance capabilities.
- Company Overview: Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North American steel producer focused on value-added sheet products for the automotive industry, employing approximately 30,000 people and demonstrating strong market competitiveness and vertical integration capabilities.
See More
Cleveland-Cliffs Appoints New Lead Independent Director
- Board Leadership Change: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has appointed Ralph 'Mike' Michael III as the new Lead Independent Director, succeeding Douglas Taylor who resigned due to a change in professional circumstances, ensuring continued stability and governance efficiency on the Board.
- Enhanced Strategic Perspective: Michael's extensive experience in the steel industry and deep understanding of capital markets will provide a strategic perspective that further drives Cleveland-Cliffs' long-term growth and shareholder value.
- New Compensation Committee Chair: The company also named Edilson Camara as Chairman of the Compensation and Organization Committee, replacing Taylor; Camara is well-respected in the global executive search field, and his leadership will enhance the overall effectiveness of the Board.
- Company Background: Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North American steel producer focused on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry, employing approximately 30,000 people, showcasing strong market competitiveness and industry integration capabilities.
See More
Andrew Carnegie's Legacy and Impact
- Pioneer of Philanthropy: Since its founding in 1911, the Carnegie Corporation has awarded over $16.5 billion in grants, advancing education, democracy, and peace, reflecting Andrew Carnegie's profound understanding and practice of social responsibility.
- Rise of a Steel Titan: Carnegie's steel company, established in the 1890s, produced more steel than all of Britain, showcasing his exceptional capabilities in innovation and cost control, which propelled America's rapid industrial rise.
- Building Public Libraries: Carnegie was committed to providing free public libraries for everyone, funding 2,500 libraries during his lifetime, demonstrating his steadfast belief in educational equity and aiming to provide learning opportunities for all aspiring individuals.
- Long-term Philanthropic Investment: The Carnegie Corporation emphasizes long-term investments, supporting academic research and cultural projects, aiming to alleviate social tensions and promote the realization of democratic values through education and cultural development.
See More
Trump's Tariff Policy Adjustments Possible Amid Success
- Tariff Policy Success: U.S. Trade Representative Greer described Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs as “incredibly successful,” indicating their role in revitalizing the domestic steel and aluminum industries, which underscores the effectiveness and strategic importance of the policy.
- Compliance Adjustments Possible: Greer mentioned the potential for modifying how tariffs are applied to ease compliance burdens on companies, suggesting a government focus on ensuring that excessive compliance does not hinder operational efficiency.
- Narrowing Tariff Scope: The Trump administration is reportedly considering narrowing the scope of tariffs, with the foundational metals tariffs remaining intact, which may alleviate the impact on major trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and the EU.
- Market Reaction: Following the tariff discussions, stocks of companies like Cleveland-Cliffs and Nucor fell by 3.1% and 2.2%, respectively, reflecting market uncertainty regarding the future direction of tariff policies.
See More
U.S. Stocks Close Higher as Software Stocks Recover
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 index rose by 0.05%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.18% on Friday, indicating a recovery after early losses, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future economic prospects.
- Inflation Data Impact: The U.S. January Consumer Price Index rose by 2.4% year-over-year, below the expected 2.5%, marking the smallest increase in seven months, which may prompt the Fed to continue cutting rates, thus providing support for the stock market and alleviating concerns over rate hikes.
- Strong Software Stock Performance: Software stocks like Crowdstrike Holdings and ServiceNow rose over 4% and 3%, respectively, lifting the broader market and indicating a rebound in investor confidence in tech stocks, particularly amid rapid advancements in AI technology.
- Metal Stocks Retreat: Reports of the Trump administration's plans to narrow tariffs on steel and aluminum products led to declines in metal companies, with Century Aluminum falling over 7%, reflecting the negative impact of policy changes on the sector.
See More
Cleveland-Cliffs CEO's Share Sale Sparks Market Concerns
- CEO Share Sale: Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves sold 3 million shares at approximately $12.42 each, totaling about $37.3 million, which represents nearly half of his total holdings, raising investor concerns about the company's future.
- Tariff Uncertainty: Reports of the Trump administration considering lowering steel and aluminum tariffs have caused market fluctuations, although White House officials denied any changes, stating that only the president could announce such adjustments, putting pressure on the company's stock price.
- Retail Sentiment Surge: Despite CLF shares declining over 20% in the past five days, retail sentiment on Stocktwits surged from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish' within 24 hours, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Diverse Market Reactions: Users on Stocktwits expressed that there is 'zero chance' Trump will reduce steel tariffs, encouraging buying the dip, while others suggested the need for new leadership, reflecting varied opinions on the company's governance.
See More
Cleveland-Cliffs Appoints New Lead Independent Director
- Board Leadership Change: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has appointed Ralph “Mike” Michael III as the new Lead Independent Director, succeeding Douglas Taylor who resigned due to a change in professional circumstances, ensuring stability and continuity in the board's leadership.
- Enhanced Strategic Perspective: New director Mike Michael previously served as Chairman of AK Steel, successfully guiding its acquisition by Cleveland-Cliffs, and his extensive experience in the steel industry and capital markets will provide a more strategic perspective for the company and its shareholders.
- New Compensation Committee Chair: Edilson Camara has been appointed as the Chairman of the Compensation and Organization Committee, replacing the resigned Taylor; Camara is well-respected in the global executive search and leadership advisory field, enhancing the board's overall governance capabilities.
- Company Overview: Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North American steel producer focused on value-added sheet products for the automotive industry, employing approximately 30,000 people and demonstrating strong market competitiveness and vertical integration capabilities.
See More
Cleveland-Cliffs Appoints New Lead Independent Director
- Board Leadership Change: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has appointed Ralph 'Mike' Michael III as the new Lead Independent Director, succeeding Douglas Taylor who resigned due to a change in professional circumstances, ensuring continued stability and governance efficiency on the Board.
- Enhanced Strategic Perspective: Michael's extensive experience in the steel industry and deep understanding of capital markets will provide a strategic perspective that further drives Cleveland-Cliffs' long-term growth and shareholder value.
- New Compensation Committee Chair: The company also named Edilson Camara as Chairman of the Compensation and Organization Committee, replacing Taylor; Camara is well-respected in the global executive search field, and his leadership will enhance the overall effectiveness of the Board.
- Company Background: Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North American steel producer focused on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry, employing approximately 30,000 people, showcasing strong market competitiveness and industry integration capabilities.
See More
Andrew Carnegie's Legacy and Impact
- Pioneer of Philanthropy: Since its founding in 1911, the Carnegie Corporation has awarded over $16.5 billion in grants, advancing education, democracy, and peace, reflecting Andrew Carnegie's profound understanding and practice of social responsibility.
- Rise of a Steel Titan: Carnegie's steel company, established in the 1890s, produced more steel than all of Britain, showcasing his exceptional capabilities in innovation and cost control, which propelled America's rapid industrial rise.
- Building Public Libraries: Carnegie was committed to providing free public libraries for everyone, funding 2,500 libraries during his lifetime, demonstrating his steadfast belief in educational equity and aiming to provide learning opportunities for all aspiring individuals.
- Long-term Philanthropic Investment: The Carnegie Corporation emphasizes long-term investments, supporting academic research and cultural projects, aiming to alleviate social tensions and promote the realization of democratic values through education and cultural development.
See More
Trump's Tariff Policy Adjustments Possible Amid Success
- Tariff Policy Success: U.S. Trade Representative Greer described Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs as “incredibly successful,” indicating their role in revitalizing the domestic steel and aluminum industries, which underscores the effectiveness and strategic importance of the policy.
- Compliance Adjustments Possible: Greer mentioned the potential for modifying how tariffs are applied to ease compliance burdens on companies, suggesting a government focus on ensuring that excessive compliance does not hinder operational efficiency.
- Narrowing Tariff Scope: The Trump administration is reportedly considering narrowing the scope of tariffs, with the foundational metals tariffs remaining intact, which may alleviate the impact on major trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and the EU.
- Market Reaction: Following the tariff discussions, stocks of companies like Cleveland-Cliffs and Nucor fell by 3.1% and 2.2%, respectively, reflecting market uncertainty regarding the future direction of tariff policies.
See More
U.S. Stocks Close Higher as Software Stocks Recover
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 index rose by 0.05%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.18% on Friday, indicating a recovery after early losses, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future economic prospects.
- Inflation Data Impact: The U.S. January Consumer Price Index rose by 2.4% year-over-year, below the expected 2.5%, marking the smallest increase in seven months, which may prompt the Fed to continue cutting rates, thus providing support for the stock market and alleviating concerns over rate hikes.
- Strong Software Stock Performance: Software stocks like Crowdstrike Holdings and ServiceNow rose over 4% and 3%, respectively, lifting the broader market and indicating a rebound in investor confidence in tech stocks, particularly amid rapid advancements in AI technology.
- Metal Stocks Retreat: Reports of the Trump administration's plans to narrow tariffs on steel and aluminum products led to declines in metal companies, with Century Aluminum falling over 7%, reflecting the negative impact of policy changes on the sector.
See More
Cleveland-Cliffs CEO's Share Sale Sparks Market Concerns
- CEO Share Sale: Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves sold 3 million shares at approximately $12.42 each, totaling about $37.3 million, which represents nearly half of his total holdings, raising investor concerns about the company's future.
- Tariff Uncertainty: Reports of the Trump administration considering lowering steel and aluminum tariffs have caused market fluctuations, although White House officials denied any changes, stating that only the president could announce such adjustments, putting pressure on the company's stock price.
- Retail Sentiment Surge: Despite CLF shares declining over 20% in the past five days, retail sentiment on Stocktwits surged from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish' within 24 hours, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Diverse Market Reactions: Users on Stocktwits expressed that there is 'zero chance' Trump will reduce steel tariffs, encouraging buying the dip, while others suggested the need for new leadership, reflecting varied opinions on the company's governance.
See More
