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.