Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on Bloomberg Television on June 30, didn't predict how many deals would be announced with the 18 largest trading partners of the U.S. before July 9. However, he said that countries "are coming in with offers" that long-time staff negotiators "can't believe," because they're so good.
Importer American Eel Depot filed a pair of complaints at the Court of International Trade on June 27 to contest CBP's classification of its frozen roasted eel under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 1604.17.10 and secondary subheading 9903.88.03, subjecting the goods to Section 301 duties. The company argued that its goods aren't products of China but, in fact, have a country of origin of the U.S. (American Eel Depot v. United States, CIT # 21-00278, -00279).
The Supreme Court's recent decision to eliminate nationwide injunctions won't impact the Court of International Trade, attorneys told us. The trade court is a court of national jurisdiction and will keep the right to issue nationwide injunctions for issues within its jurisdiction, the attorneys said.
Georgetown Law School Professor Jennifer Hillman, a former International Trade Commissioner and member of the World Trade Organization's appellate body, said she thinks there are grounds for a challenge to 25% tariffs on autos and auto parts, imposed on national security grounds under Section 232.
CBP created Harmonized System Update 2524 on June 27, containing 484 Automated Broker Interface records and 114 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records. HSU 2524 includes the Mid-Year 484(f) changes, effective July 1, and adjustments required by the verification of the 2025 Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
CBP has released its June 25 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 59, No. 26), which includes the following ruling actions:
President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in different appearances on the same day, said that negotiations do not need to conclude by July 8 to avoid higher reciprocal tariff rates at 12:01 July 9.
Even though CBP has given some guidance on how to interpret the "in transit" reciprocal tariff exclusions, the trade is still grappling with how to proceed with the changes, according to a June 27 letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and incoming CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott.
Two former general counsels from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative disagreed sharply about the need for the current aggressive tariff hikes. But Jennifer Hillman, who is helping to write amicus briefs for members of Congress challenging the legality of International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs, and Steven Vaughn, who served in the first Trump administration, agree what would happen if the current administration loses the case.
President Donald Trump, on social media, said the U.S. is "hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately" because its digital services tax is not being delayed. The first payments are due on July 1.