Manufacturing trade groups and companies mostly argued in comments to the U.S. Trade Representative that USMCA rules of origin for their sectors shouldn't change as part of the pact's review, and if they do, it should be only after extensive consultation with industry, and with adequate transition times.
Former trade negotiators said the removal of reciprocal tariffs on agricultural goods not grown at scale in the U.S. is a harbinger of things to come, as the administration starts to recognize that tariffs are politically unpopular.
Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, introduced a bill that would eliminate reciprocal tariffs on 40 countries, including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Thailand and others in Asia.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking after a 90-minute meeting with EU and member country counterparts, explicitly linked changes in digital regulation in the EU to relief on 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum and their derivatives, where the value of the metal is taxed.
Correction: Only two subheadings, 3301.12.00 and 3301.90.50, which cover some fertilizers and essential oils, were listed under new exemptions for 40% additional tariffs from Brazil but aren't exempt from reciprocal tariffs. The other minor differences between the two lists account for existing tariff exemptions (see 2511210001).
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Nov. 20 exempting 238 tariff schedule subheadings covering agricultural products from the 40% additional International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff on Brazil. The new exemptions take retroactive effect Nov. 13 at 12:01 a.m ET.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Nov. 20 exempting 238 tariff schedule subheadings covering agricultural products from the 40% additional International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff on Brazil. The new exemptions take retroactive effect Nov. 13 at 12:01 a.m ET.
President Donald Trump, speaking at a Saudi investment forum, said that if the Supreme Court rules against the use of national emergency authorities to impose reciprocal tariffs, the administration will manage.
India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, the lead negotiator on the trade deal with the U.S., told reporters in New Delhi on Nov. 17, "We should get a closure soon."