Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Trump has issued tariffs for different countries and different products. Further confusing matters are the various starting dates and rates for the tariffs and the statutes by which President Trump can impose such tariffs.
Following is a brief inventory of President Trump’s tariff announcements with the rates and starting dates and statutory authority for them:
1. 25% tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada and a 10% rate for “energy or energy resources” from Canada. Tariffs were to start on Feb. 4 but were delayed until March 4. Statutory authority is the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) per the immigration and fentanyl crisis.
2. 10% tariffs on all products from China started on Feb. 4 and President Trump imposed an additional 10% effective on March 4. Statutory authority is IEEPA per the fentanyl crisis.
3. An end to the de minimis shipment tariff exemption was to start Feb. 4 but was delayed to allow the USPS and Customs and Border Patrol “to implement an efficient collection mechanism for the new China tariffs to ensure the least disruption to package deliver.” Statutory authority is IEEPA per the fentanyl crisis.
4. 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all countries starting March 12. Two Presidential Proclamations on Feb. 10 include closure of all special tariff arrangements and exemptions, an end to the tariff exclusion request process, and an expansion of the tariffs to cover certain downstream products such as steel and aluminum cookware. The proclamations can be found here with relevant product HTS numbers at the end of each:
Federal Register: Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States
Federal Register: Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
Statutory authority is Sec. 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose and adjust tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum for purposes of national security.
In addition to these actions, on Feb. 13, President Trump announced his plan to increase U.S. tariffs to match what other countries charge on their imports. Trump’s “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs Memorandum” directs his cabinet to prepare a report by April 1 on steps for tariff reciprocity with more than 200 counties and for the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to complete the process with what appears to be a rulemaking within 180 days of the memorandum.
Also, on Feb. 25, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Dept. of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to investigate national security risks regarding copper imports. The investigation by BIS will take 270 days under Sec. 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and could lead to new tariffs or trade restrictions on copper imports.
Finally, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed remedies to address China’s alleged practices to support its maritime and shipbuilding sectors. USTR is proposing charging up to $1.5 million for Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports as part of its investigation into China’s domination of the global shipbuilding, maritime and logistics sectors, and its efforts to promote U.S. shipbuilding. Public comments are due to USTR by March 24.
