August 27, 2025—Top Stories:
Trump's 50% Tariffs on India Take Effect
President Donald Trump’s promised 50% tariffs on India took effect on Wednesday, as the U.S. risks blowing up a relationship considered crucial in its effort to counter the rise of China. Trump started the tariff rate at 25% but doubled it earlier this month as punishment for India buying Russian oil, making it one of the highest of the many tariffs imposed during the president’s ongoing global trade war.
India has refrained from criticizing Trump but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has struck a nationalistic tone in recent speeches, urging Indians to buy local products and help the country be more self-reliant. He has also vowed to stand by India’s farmers—the U.S. had sought greater access for its agricultural products in trade negotiations with India, a red line for the country.
CSMS Message: Implementation of Additional Duties on Products of India
To effectuate the President’s Executive Order 14329 of August 6, 2025 (Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation), which imposed a specified rate of duty on imports of articles that are products of India, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that appropriate action is needed to modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) as set out in the Annex to this notice.
Fight Over Digital Tax Could Lead to Secondary Tariffs on EU
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “impose substantial additional Tariffs” and stop selling tech and chips to countries with digital rules he deems discriminatory to American companies.
The Trump administration and some of its allies in the tech sector have launched repeated attacks on the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), its flagship social media platform regulation. The U.S. government also claims that aspects of the DSA would impose costs on domestic companies.
The DSA regulates online platforms, like social media and e-commerce, as well as search engines. Those with more than 45 million users in the EU, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok and X, must follow strict rules about assessing and mitigating important risks, like the spread of misinformation and harm to minors.
The European Commission oversees implementing the regulation on very large platforms, with national regulators taking responsibility for their respective countries. Concessions from the EU on the DSA, which the White House was reportedly pushing for, did not materialize in the EU-U.S. trade deal.
Commerce Issues Affirmative Final Determinations in AD/CVD Investigations of Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products from Ten Trading Partners
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its final affirmative determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations on certain corrosion-resistant steel (CORE) products from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, the Republic of Türkiye (Türkiye), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam).
Canada Removes Ratilitory Tariffs
Canada is removing some retaliatory tariffs. Canada had targeted imports of U.S. goods that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with a 25 percent tariff as a response to a trade dispute initiated by President Donald Trump’s March tariffs on Canadian products, energy and critical minerals. Canadian tariffs on U.S. imports of steel, aluminum and autos remain unchanged.
Canadian negotiators continue to seek a deal to remove heightened tariffs on goods not covered by USMCA. The trilateral trade deal is up for renewal next year. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he’d like USMCA talks to begin next month, adding he expects them to stretch between 6 and 18 months. Trade negotiations have been kept high level between leaders like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his Canadian counterpart, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Furniture Tariffs Could Be Coming
President Donald Trump said he plans to impose tariffs on furniture imports in the next couple of months, foretelling a key outcome from a broader investigation into timber, lumber and wood products. The Commerce Department has an ongoing investigation of timber, lumber and wood products, including furniture, under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. That probe was launched in March.
The United States imported nearly $23 billion worth of wood and wood products in 2024, including about $11 billion from Canada, $5 billion from China and other countries in Asia, $3 billion from South and Central America and $2.8 billion from Europe, according to Commerce Department data.
CSMS Message: CBP Publishes Parties Qualified for the Payment of Duty on International Mail Shipments pursuant to Executive Order 14324
Pursuant to Executive Order 14324 of July 30, 2025, (“Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries”), effective August 29, 2025, de minimis duty-free treatment under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C) will no longer be available for shipments entering into the United States not covered by 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b), including those entering through international mail.
As outlined in the Executive Order, duty on international mail shipments must be paid by the international mail carrier or a qualified party acting in lieu of the carrier. CBP has certified the following parties, Zonos and Safepackage, as qualified to collect and pay duty shipments entering the United States not covered by 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b), including those entering through international mail.
As outlined in the Executive Order, duty on international mail shipments must be paid by the international mail carrier or a qualified party acting in lieu of the carrier.
Industry Insight: Strengthening Export Controls Programs via Strategic Technology
Export controls are now central to national security strategy, and compliance programs must evolve accordingly. Strategic technology enables organizations to move beyond list-based screening and address the complexities of fast-evolving regulatory expectations. Howard Mendelsohn of Kharon highlights some key priorities—and how technology and risk intelligence help teams stay ahead. [Read More]
