February 26, 2025–Top Stories
White House Update
The Trump Administration has ordered federal agencies to prepare plans for large-scale workforce reductions by mid-March, which could further impact export license reviews, U.S. Commercial Service staffing, USDA inspections, and FDA reviews.
Legislative Update
The Senate confirmed Jamieson Greer today to be the U.S. Trade Representative by a vote of 56-43.
Regulatory Update
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking public comments to identify unfair trade practices and assess harm from non-reciprocal trade arrangements. Comments are due by March 11, 2025, and were discussed at AAEI’s Customs Committee meeting today.
In response to the Trump Administration’s recent tariff actions, AAEI’s Customs Committee is launching a Tariff Working Group.
If you are interested this working group or a Committee, please visit AAEI’s Member Hub to join. After logging in, click “My Info” and add the Working Group to “Lists/Committees.”
Industry Insight
AI is transforming trade compliance and supply chain monitoring through multimodal AI and self-improving AI agents. Thariq Kara, Co-Founder & CEO of BITE Data, explores how these advancements are reshaping the industry.
AAEI’s AI Webinar Series is preparing importers and exporters to use AI to enhance their compliance practices through document digitization. The next installment is tomorrow at 3 p.m. EST, “Optimizing Trade Compliance with AI.” Register here.
More Stories to Stay Informed:
- President Trump ordered Commerce today to investigate possible tariffs on copper imports in an effort to increase U.S. copper production.
- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released an unpublished notice of proposed action this week requesting comments regarding potential trade action in connection with the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. AAEI’s Supply Chain Resiliency Committee is working on comments to be submitted by March 24.
- Mexico is reportedly considering tariffs on China to avoid President Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs, President Claudia Sheinbaum said at her press conference on Monday. President Trump, however, also stated on Monday that the tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are “on time and on schedule.” Learn how you can prepare for potential tariffs by watching AAEI’s webinar recordings in the Member Hub.
- The European Commission released a draft proposal to simplify and improve CBAM/Regulation (EU) 2023/956 today as part of a broader effort to reduce red tape. Formal approval is still required from the European Parliament and EU member states.
- Mexican drug cartels MS-13 and Tren de Aragua were designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) last week by the U.S. State Department. These designations target criminal organizations, but the effects could extend to legitimate companies that deal with cross-border transactions.
- FDA’s new Deputy Director for Import Operations Enforcement (DDIOE) is now Nazmul Hassan. AAEI’s Healthcare Industries Committee regularly connects with the FDA to provide updates.
