The Swiss president told reporters in Bern that her country would put together a letter of intent within two weeks, in the hopes of reaching an "agreement in principle" with the U.S., like the U.K. did (see 2505080033), and thereby avoid 31% reciprocal tariffs set to begin July 8.
The European Commission on May 7 approved an over $5.6 billion French re-insurance scheme for export credit to the U.S. The scheme will run from May 8 to July 8 and will let wine and spirits exporters ship inventory to the U.S. prior to new tariffs on French goods taking effect when a 90-day pause on country-specific reciprocal rate expires.
Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., introduced a bill to require notification of Congress and provide justification for tariffs enacted through presidential action.
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 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 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.
An exemption from reciprocal tariffs for goods subject to Section 232 tariffs only applies if duties are “owed and payable,” CBP said in an update May 8 to its Section 232 tariff FAQ.
A U.S.-U.K. trade deal announced in the Oval Office leaves the average tariff on U.K. goods at 10%; however, aerospace engines and parts will enter duty-free.
President Donald Trump, responding to a reporter's quote from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that the administration is considering tariff exemptions for car seats from China [see Ref:2505060052]), said he doesn't know if he wants to do that.