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.
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.
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.
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.
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):
President Donald Trump is imposing 10% tariffs on all imports other than those from Canada and Mexico, beginning April 5, according to a call detailing the reciprocal tariff actions ahead of the speech. These tariffs are not on top of Section 232 tariffs on autos and metals, a senior government official said on the call.
The U.S. will impose additional 10% tariffs on most imports, but not on Mexican and Canadian goods, information goods like books, music or films, or any goods either subject to Section 232 tariffs or among goods that Trump is considering protecting under Section 232, including pharmaceuticals, copper, lumber, semiconductors, certain critical minerals, and energy and energy products.
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President Donald Trump, talking to reporters in the Oval Office, declined to say whether tariffs would be tailored to individual countries, or there would be a universal rate on all imports, saying that he'll let them know either Tuesday night, or probably April 2.
Customs attorney Dan Ujczo, who has contacts in the White House as well as clients who are major automakers, said he thinks the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico over migration and fentanyl will continue past April 2, and will be stacked with auto tariffs and the reciprocal levies.