Category: Trump Tariffs

Today, I have implemented a 25% Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.

President Trump increases tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China

Last updated: February 6, 2025 at 17:16 pm

UPDATE: China tariffs of 10% have been imposed, however, Canada and Mexico tariffs have been paused until March 4, 2025. Links have been supplemented, but the text of this blog post will remain unchanged. Look for future updates in new posts/articles on the site.

The following post by President Trump increasing tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexcio speaks for itself (source):

Today, I have implemented a 25% Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.

Everyone should have expected this. It has been telegraphed by Trump for about 10 years, when he began to make tariffs a signature proposal in his first run for the White House. His first term in office saw an unprecedented shift in the use of tariffs, using them on a broad scale, for the first time with China. As he said, if COVID didn’t happen, he would have done more.

With that in mind, before Trump’s second inauguration, we wrote on article on the potential Trump tariffs and some strategies.

Last week, we commented on the America First Trump’s America First Trade Policy Executive Order which appeared to give time until at least April 1 for tariffs to take effect. Then, this week we got a firmer signal that that he still planned to impose additional tariffs on February 1.

What happens next for the Trump Tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico?

The text of all the Executive Orders do not yet appear to be on Whitehouse.gov (but a fact sheet summary is), but linked below are reliable texts:

Each order applies the additional tariffs after “on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to U.S. Customs and Border Protection within the Department of Homeland Security as specified in the Federal Register notice.”

Stay Informed and Prepared:

The landscape of international trade is shifting rapidly with the impending Trump tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. Don’t be caught off guard.

Contact Great Lakes Customs for advice and assistance. If you have questions or need help navigating these changes, we’re here to support you.

 

Trump’s “America First Trade Policy” Executive Order

President Trump has signed an executive order entitled “America First Trade Policy,” which requires various departments and the USTR to present him with a report on trade actions by April 1, 2025 (and April 30, 2025).

What is in Trump’s America First Trade Policy Executive Order?

The order makes mention of the following priorities for the Trump administration relative to customs, trade, and tariff issues:

  • Investigate and address the causes of large trade deficits, unfair trade practices, and economic security risks.
  • Explore the feasibility of establishing an External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and duties.
  • Assess and counteract currency manipulation by trading partners.
  • Review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its impact on American workers and businesses.
  • Review and address trade practices and agreements with China, including intellectual property rights and tariffs.
  • Conduct a review of the U.S. industrial and manufacturing base to address national security threats.
  • Assess and improve export control systems to prevent the transfer of strategic goods to adversaries.
  • Address the impact of foreign government subsidies on U.S. federal procurement programs.
  • Assess and recommend measures to address unlawful migration and fentanyl flows from Canada, Mexico, and China.

Interestingly, the order directs the USTR to “consider potential additional tariff modifications as needed under section 2411 of title 19, United States Code [19 USC 2411] — particularly with respect to industrial supply chains and circumvention through third countries”.

What Does the Executive Order Tell us About Future Tariffs?

The take-away from this executive order should be the deadline of April 1 (and 30), 2025, as a potential starting point for aggressive tariff actions and/or threats as a means of increased leverage. Further, the order appears to suggest that additional duties on other countries (to which Chinese industry has moved manufacturing as a means of circumvention of the existing Section 301 duties) is on the table. In other words, countries which have benefited most of the shift from China, such as Vietnam.

Need help navigating the Trump Tariffs?

For 15 years, Great Lakes Customs Law has been a law firm for importers. We have helped hundreds of clients save money by avoiding and lowering tariffs. Contact us at our Michigan office at 734-855-4999 or call our Chicago office at 773-920-1840.

Note: This information is only current as of the date of publication.

President Trump signs proclamation imposing tariffs on imported steel and aluminum

Trump’s Tariffs: Predictions and Strategy

Heads up to importers and those who only follow the blog feed, please check out the page we recently added called Trump Tariff Strategy: When and How Duties Can Be Imposed.

There, I discuss what we can predict about Trump’s new tariff plans going forward (spoiler: we can predict there will be tariffs, but that’s about it), how long the tariffs will last (spoiler: it’s going to feel permanent even if it’s not), and an overview of the many different legal mechanisms he can use to impose tariffs (spoiler: we might not onlt be talking about “Section 301” and “Section 232” tariffs, but also “Section 122 Tariffs”, “Section 201 Tariffs”, “Section 338 Tariffs”, ‘section 1702 Tariffs”, and “Section 404 Tariffs”.

And, we also talk about some business decisions, classification, and valuation issues that could take some of the bite of out of the tariffs.

Need help navigating the Trump Tariffs?

Great Lakes Customs Law was established in 2010 as a law firm for importers. We have helped hundreds of clients in the last 15 years avoid and lower tariffs. Contact us at our Michigan office at 734-855-4999 or call our Chicago office at 773-920-1840.