A former Trump trade negotiator, Kelly Ann Shaw, described as "one of the key architects of the Administration’s trade, investment, energy and national security policies" in Trump's first term by her current law firm, said the reciprocal tariffs announced April 2, based on goods trade deficits, are not the same tariffs that will be in place weeks, months or years from now.
A day after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs upon dozens of trading partners, including countries that the U.S. has historically had friendly relations with, customs brokers and importers have numerous questions, such as whether ACE has the ability to verify values accurately and what role drawback might have as companies respond to the tariffs.
The White House released two annexes to its proclamation setting 10% reciprocal tariffs April 5, and higher country-specific tariffs for some on April 9, including a list of goods excluded from the tariffs, some because they're potentially subject to Section 232 actions.
Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging him and President Donald Trump to exempt child care products from tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. The tariffs will raise prices on "car seats, highchairs, strollers, and cribs" and "exacerbate the cost of caring for babies and toddlers," the lawmakers said.
CBP is seeking public comments on several information collections that involve imports, the agency said in Federal Register notices released this week. Comments are due May 5.
In the March 26 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 59, No. 13), CBP published a proposal to revoke a ruling letter concerning the tariff classification of a 7100PP-R-xM RCMM optical patch panel from China.
A resolution that would eliminate the fentanyl smuggling and migration emergency for Canada, and thereby end 25% and 10% tariffs on Canadian goods, passed the Senate April 2, 51-48.
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump April 2 ends de minimis treatment for goods from China and Hong Kong starting May 2 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, according to a White House fact sheet.
The annex to the Section 232 auto tariff proclamation has been released, listing tariff subheadings subject to the 25% tariffs on passenger vehicles and light trucks beginning April 3, and setting the effective date for tariffs on auto parts at May 3 (and also listing the subheadings covered by those tariffs).
Higher reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump will be imposed at the following rates beginning April 9, according to handouts distributed at the White House event announcing the tariffs (all countries with only the 10% universal tariff are omitted from the table):