July 9, 2025—Top Stories:
Tariff Letters Go Out and Trade Investigations Are Wrapping Up
The White House has announced the issuance of a new Executive Order that pauses the IEEPA Reciprocal tariffs until August 1, 2025. The country specific tariffs originally announced on April 2, 2025, under Executive Order 14257 will not be applicable to any country prior to August 1, 2025. The White House sent tariff letters to several countries imposing new tariff levels on countries that have not yet reached a deal with the Trump Administration. Those without deals will see their tariffs revert to the level they were assigned back in April. Those levels 10% to 70% will kick in on August 1.
Please find the list of new tariffs: Korea (25%); Japan (25%); Myanmar (40%); Laos (40%); Thailand (36%); Cambodia (36%); Serbia (35%); Bangladesh (35%); Indonesia (32%); Bosnia & Herzegovina (30%); South Africa (30%); Kazakhstan (25%); Malaysia (25%) Tunisia (25%).
The Trump Administration is also slowly wrapping up several trade investigations on copper, lumber, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Some media reports are reporting that copper tariffs could be 50%, while additional industry tariffs could range between 50%-200%.
Stay informed of Presidential Actions and tariff changes using AAEI’s Presidential Actions Timeline and Customs Service Messages.
U.S. and Beijing Lift Export Sanctions
Beijing and Washington are following through on an agreement struck last month in London to lift restrictions on exports of items essential for industrial production, as both sides look to cool a global trade war. The list of items that the U.S. had lifted export curbs on included aircraft engines, semiconductor design software and ethane
De Minimis Exemption Slated to End in 2027
As part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by President Trump, the U.S. will repeal the de minimis exemption allowing imports under $800 to enter the country duty and tax free, effective July 1, 2027. Exemptions will remain in place for eligible items bought during travel and bona fide gifts from foreign citizens to U.S. residents. CBP could also end the exemption sooner than 2027 if the technical capabilities exist to process entries below $800. The bill also establishes a civil penalty, starting 30 days after its enactment, for any person attempting to use de minimis entry in a way that “violates any other provision of” U.S. customs law. The amount is $5,000 for the first violation and up to $10,000 for subsequent violations.
US Chamber Urges Court to Strike Down Trump’s Emergency Tariffs
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) filed a legal brief asking a federal appeals court to strike down President Donald Trump’s use of a 1977 emergency powers law to impose tariffs on countries around the world.
The Chamber and the CTA argued in their brief that the absence of any tariff authority in IEEPA is “deafening,” compared to other legislation that explicitly gives the president some authority to impose tariffs.
They also argued the issue constitutes a “major question,” meaning there needs to be clear delegation of tariff authority in IEEPA since the U.S. Constitution gives Congress jurisdiction over trade.
