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tariffs

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Breaking Trade News: U.S. and China Jointly Agree to Halt the Current Trade War 

On May 12, 2025, the White House and the State Council of China jointly published statements putting a pause on the ever-escalating trade war. This bilateral trade negotiation took place in Geneva during the weekend between May 10-11.  

According to the joint statement, China will lower the tariff on American imports to 10% for 90 days beginning May 14, 2025. The U.S. will simultaneously lower the China specific 125% Reciprocal Tariff to 10% for 90 days beginning May 14, 2025. Currently, the U.S. has imposed a 10% IEEPA Reciprocal Tariff on all imports, except USMCA qualified goods. The Geneva negotiation essentially put China, U.S.’s third largest trading partner, in line with all other countries. However, other duties will continue to apply to Chinese imports, including Section 301 Tariff, Section 232 Tariff, and the IEEPA Fentanyl Tariff. Nonetheless, this weekend negotiation drastically lower tariff on Chinese import by 115%, a significant move since President Trump’s Liberation Day.  

CBP subsequently issued guidance implementing the 90-day suspension. View CSMS here.

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By |2025-05-13T17:56:10-04:00May 12, 2025|China, Countries, tariffs|0 Comments
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Mitigating Impacts to Your Business in a Changing Trade Environment

The current trade environment presents new challenges and risks to businesses. From regulatory shifts to geopolitical pressures, importers are navigating a maze of uncertainty. The good news? Importers are not without options. Here are a few strategies to consider:

Understand Your Data

If you are not on top of what’s happening in your business, you are operating partially in the dark. Ensure your team is using the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Portal and is actively auditing broker data for accuracy. Understanding your trade data helps uncover discrepancies, spot trends, and identify compliance gaps before CBP does. Contact us to learn more about our importer report card!

Know Your Supply Chain

Understanding who is supplying you with a product is not enough, you also need to know who is supplying them. You should have a comprehensive understanding of your supply chain that includes documentation of the various tiers of suppliers. Detailed documentation can help identify gaps and high-risk areas that may need to be revisited.

Educate Your Team

Compliance can’t rest on one person. A well-informed team is your first line of defense—and your biggest asset. Regular training on trade updates, documentation best practices, and enforcement trends helps mitigate risk across the board and can optimize potential duty savings.

Vendor Compliance

Suppliers are a key business partner that should assist in your compliance strategy. Ensure your suppliers are certifying country of origin, documenting component sourcing, and keeping proper records. This documentation will be essential if you’re ever audited, and may allow you to minimize tariffs depending on […]

By |2025-04-28T08:04:43-04:00April 28, 2025|Import, tariffs|0 Comments
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BIS Initiates 232 Investigations of Pharmaceuticals and Semiconductors

The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the initiation of investigations into the effects on U.S. national security of imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients and imports of semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

The basis of the investigations is Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Under Section 232, the president can restrict imports of products that are found to threaten to impair national security.

On April 16, BIS published two federal register notices (pharmaceuticals, semiconductors) seeking public comment. Comments are due May 7, 2025.

Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients

The scope of the pharmaceutical investigation covers pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, including:

  • Finished drug products
  • Medical countermeasures
  • Critical inputs such as active pharmaceutical ingredients
  • Key starting materials, and derivative products of those items

Among other information, BIS is particularly interested in comments that address:

  • Demand for pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States
  • The extent to which domestic production of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients can meet domestic demand
  • The role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting United States demand for pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients
  • The impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on United States pharmaceuticals industry competitiveness
  • Whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security

Interested parties may submit a comment in this proceeding on or before May 7, 2025 at Regulations.gov using ID BIS-2025-0022.

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

The scope of the semiconductor investigation covers semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and their derivative products, […]

By |2025-04-17T16:35:06-04:00April 17, 2025|Investigation, tariffs, U.S. Department of Commerce|0 Comments
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New 104% China Tariff – U.S.-China Standoff Intensifies

On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order imposing additional tariffs on Chinese imports after China failed to drop its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. The order amends the Administration’s original reciprocal tariff of 34%, increasing it to 84%. This applies on top of the 20% tariff imposed in March, bringing the total tariff on all imports from China to 104%, effective April 9, 2025.

China has already implemented countermeasures in response. China’s Office of the Tariff Commission of the State Council announced that tariffs on U.S. goods will rise to 84% starting on April 10.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called the Administration’s actions “bullying” said Beijing will take “firm and forceful” steps to protect itself. The Commerce Ministry said it would “fight till the end” in the event of a trade war.

President Trump acknowledged that the imposition of the tariffs has been “somewhat explosive” but defended the approach, saying that the Administration is open to making deals.

Diaz Trade Law will continue to monitor the situation for updates. If you are an importer of Chinese goods, there are actions you can take. Check out our webinar on minimizing tariffs here.

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By |2025-04-09T09:04:40-04:00April 9, 2025|tariffs|0 Comments
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Tariffs are Bad, So Are Non-tariff Barriers

We are pleased to share our latest feature in the National Interest! View the original article here.

Jennifer Diaz – Board-certified international attorney and President of Diaz Trade Law
Jerry Haar – Professor and Executive Director, The Americas, Florida International University – College of Business

Tariffs, which Donald Trump once called “the most beautiful word in the dictionary,” constitute the centerpiece of his administration’s trade and economic policies. The tariff theme featured prominently in the president’s State of the Union address on March 4 and represents a clear article of faith for him. The April 2  “Liberation Day” announcement of new sweeping tariffs makes it crystal clear that the president means business.

New U.S. tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China are estimated to increase tax revenue by $600–650 billion over ten years. The cost to American households in raised prices would be equivalent to a $2,100 tax hike, according to the Tax Foundation.

However, “non-tariff barriers”—impediments to free market commerce that are far more pernicious than tariffs are absent from the discussion on tariffs. These policy-related measures that can restrict trade between countries include quotas, licensing requirements, import bans, subsidies, customs procedures, technical regulations, and standards.

In the global context, non-tariff barriers to trade (NTBs) can increase the cost of trade by raising compliance costs, delaying shipments, and adding layers of bureaucracy. For example, […]

By |2025-04-12T09:31:25-04:00April 9, 2025|tariffs|0 Comments
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