The U.S.–China trade relationship may be entering a sharper phase of confrontation. In response to China’s recent tightening of export controls on rare earth materials and related technologies, the U.S. has jumped to threaten 100% tariffs on Chinese imports. Meanwhile, China insists its export restrictions are legitimate measures tied to national security, not retaliation — setting the stage for what […]
On September 29, 2025, President Trump issued a Section 232 proclamation imposing new tariffs on imported timber, lumber, and derivative wood products, including furniture. The move follows a Commerce Department investigation that concluded rising imports of wood products pose a threat to U.S. national security by weakening domestic production capacity and increasing reliance on foreign suppliers. What the Proclamation Does […]
On September 29, 2025, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) implemented an interim final rule (IFR) amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to broaden the reach of the Entity List. Published at 90 FR 47201, this rule significantly expands compliance obligations for exporters, reexporters, freight forwarders, and other parties subject to the EAR. The Core Change: The 50% Ownership […]
On September 16, 2025, the Department of Commerce published the tariff modifications needed to implement the United States–Japan Agreement (Executive Order 14345). The agreement sets a baseline 15% tariff on nearly all imports from Japan, with special treatment for automobiles, auto parts, and civil aircraft. These changes stem from both IEEPA reciprocal tariffs and Section 232 measures, meaning importers must […]
On September 9, 2025, the Supreme Court agreed to expedited review of two consolidated appeals challenging the legality of the Trump administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These include the so-called Fentanyl Tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, and the broad Reciprocal Tariffs applied to most U.S. trading partners (together, the IEEPA Tariffs). […]
Late yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court officially agreed to hear the IEEPA tariff case on an expedited basis. Oral arguments are scheduled for the first week of November, and therefore, a final ruling could come as early as late November or December. Supreme Court Schedule
On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a major ruling on the scope of presidential tariff authority. In a 7–4 decision, the court found that former President Trump exceeded his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he declared trade deficits a “national emergency” and used that declaration to impose sweeping tariffs […]
Effective August 29, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement sweeping changes to the way duties are assessed and collected on international mail shipments. Under Executive Order 14324, Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries, the long-standing $800 de minimis threshold will no longer apply to shipments arriving via the international postal network—regardless of country of origin. […]
On August 7, 2025, a fresh round of reciprocal tariff updates took effect under Executive Order 14257, as amended, and they bring with them more than just new duty rates. For importers, brokers, and compliance teams, the real story is in how the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) reporting sequence will be applied — and the economic […]
On August 8, 2025 the White House announced a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that carries serious implications for international trade. Alongside the peace declaration, the parties signed bilateral economic agreements with the United States, opening the door to a project that could significantly alter trade flows across Eurasia: the creation of the Zangezur Corridor. A Strategic Link […]