White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, in a press briefing on May 8, told a reporter that even after the negotiations are done with the U.K., the president is not open to removing an additional 10% tariff on nearly all British goods. Countries like the U.K., that buy more U.S. goods than they export to the U.S., were hit with 10% tariffs, on the argument that if their trade barriers were lower, they would buy even more.
An exemption from reciprocal tariffs for U.S. content that rises above 20% should be calculated only on the basis of a good’s physical characteristics, CBP said in an update to its FAQ on International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs. “Non-physical elements” like research and development, intellectual property rights and royalties can’t be included toward exempt U.S. content, CBP said.
The Commerce Department is beginning a Section 232 investigation on possible tariffs on commercial aircraft and jet engines, including parts, it said in a notice released May 9. The agency will consider “the effects on national security of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines,” as well as “whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security,” among other things. Comments are due June 3.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on May 9 upheld the Court of International Trade's classification of 14 mixtures of frozen fruits and vegetables under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 0811.90.80, the residual category for "other" frozen fruit.
The only two countries in the world whose trade deals with the U.S. are still being honored are Mexico and Canada, a Mexican trade expert said, meaning the impact of fentanyl tariffs, steel and aluminum Section 232 tariffs, and auto and auto parts tariffs on Mexico's exports to the U.S. is not as dramatic as initially feared. Still, nearly 30% of the $505.9 billion in goods exported to the U.S. last year would face 25% additional tariffs now, either because the goods are subject to a Section 232 action, or they are goods that cannot meet USMCA rules of origin, an expert said.
The 10% tariff on the first 100,000 autos exported annually from the U.K. will be "all-in," according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. CBP couldn't clarify whether that would be done by removing most favored nation duties on U.K. autos and then applying a 10% tariff rate, or whether the additional tariff rate for in-quota autos would be 7.5%.
The Commerce Department is beginning a Section 232 investigation into possible tariffs on commercial aircraft and jet engines, including parts, it said in a notice released May 9. The agency will consider “the effects on national security of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines,” as well as “whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security,” among other things. Comments are due June 3.
President Donald Trump said on social media early May 9, "80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B." He was referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who will meet with China's vice premier in Switzerland on Saturday and Sunday to talk trade.
The European Commission opened a public consultation regarding a list of U.S. imports that could become subject to tariffs in response to the flurry of U.S. trade action, should talks with the White House fall through, the commission announced. The list covers over $107 billion worth of U.S. imports, including a "broad range of industrial and agricultural products," it said.
After President Donald Trump spoke May 8 about a trade deal with the U.K., he took questions from reporters, and one asked whether the U.S. will lower tariffs on China if talks involving Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and China's vice premier go well over the weekend.