The Secretary of Commerce recently opened a Section 232 investigation into whether imports of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment, including devices, pose a risk to U.S. national security. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is managing the review and has requested public comments from industry [...]
WHAT ACTION DOES THE SEPTEMBER 25 NOTICE IMPLEMENT? On September 25, 2025, the Federal Register will publish a notice from the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) implementing tariff modifications under the U.S.-EU Framework on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced [...]
The United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement the technology provisions of the U.S.–UK Economic Prosperity Deal. The MOU sets joint priorities in artificial intelligence (AI), civil nuclear energy, quantum technologies, and secure infrastructure. While not [...]
WHAT IS THE SECTION 232 AUTO PARTS INCLUSION PROCESS? The Department of Commerce’s interim final rule establishing the Section 232 automobile parts inclusion process took effect September 17, 2025, creating a formal pathway to add automobile parts to the tariff list under Proclamation 10908. Administration of this process falls to [...]
CBP FINALIZES JAPAN TARIFF FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Commerce have finalized amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to implement Executive Order 14345. The changes set a 15 percent tariff for most Japanese imports, establish industry-specific treatment for automobiles, [...]
WHAT LED TO ONE OF THE LARGEST SHIPPING CONTAINER LOSSES AT A U.S. PORT THIS YEAR? On September 9, 2025, operations at the Port of Long Beach were disrupted when an estimated 67 shipping containers fell from the vessel Mississippi into the harbor at Pier G. A Unified Command response [...]
WHAT GUIDANCE DID CBP ISSUE ON THE U.S.-JAPAN TARIFF RETROACTIVE PROVISION? U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued interim guidance on the retroactive clause of the U.S.–Japan trade agreement. The Executive Order sets a 15 percent baseline duty on nearly all Japanese imports. Sector-specific rules apply to autos, aerospace products, [...]
On September 5, 2025, the White House issued a new Executive Order that modifies the scope of reciprocal tariffs and establishes procedures for implementing the framework and final trade agreements. This action builds on the April 2, 2025, Executive Order 14257 and subsequent modifications, citing a national emergency tied [...]
HISTORIC TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE U.S. AND JAPAN The White House announced a trade agreement with Japan. It establishes reciprocal tariffs, expands U.S. export access, and secures Japanese investment in U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure. The agreement applies a 15% tariff on most Japanese imports, increases Japan’s purchases of U.S. agriculture [...]
TRANSSHIPMENTS COME UNDER U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION SCRUTINY A recent alert issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) included a strong warning: companies tied to illegal transshipment face severe penalties. Consequences include seizure of shipments, steep fines, loss of import privileges, and even criminal charges under U.S. law. Dated [...]
