April 2, 2025–Top Stories
White House Update
In his “Liberation Day” speech, today, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, set to go into effect tomorrow. In addition to this tariff, he announced an individualized reciprocal tariff on approximately 60 countries, set for implementation on April 9, 2025. The reciprocal tariffs were posted on TruthSocial today.
Read AAEI’s Statement on “Liberation Day” and the new tariffs.
In response to the Trump Administration’s recent tariff actions, AAEI’s Customs Committee launched a Tariff Working Group. The next meeting is on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
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.”
Legislative Update
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing next Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on President Trump’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda, with USTR Jamieson Greer as the witness.
Regulatory Update
CBP provided guidance and entry filing instructions today for President Trump’s 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts (CSMS # 64624801).
The tariffs on all countries are set to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. See CBP’s website for recent CSMS messages.
Industry Insight
Navigating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is crucial for businesses seeking to avoid CBP penalties. Cindy Deleon of Deleon Trade LLC shares key enforcement measures and best practices to ensure businesses meet trade regulations and maximize benefits.
Join Cindy and Deleon Trade LLC at AAEI’s 104th Annual Conference & Trade Day during their breakout session “How to Communicate Emerging Issues to the C-Suite” on Friday, June 27, 2025.
More Stories to Stay Informed:
- In response to President Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released a statement, stating that these tariffs will “create a level playing field for American farmers, producers, and workers.”
- In advance of “Liberation Day,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told European lawmakers that the European Union does “not necessarily want to retaliate, but we have a strong plan to retaliate if necessary.”
- The White House released an article today listing studies to show that “tariffs are an effective tool for achieving economic and strategic objectives,” based on the reported effectiveness of tariffs during President Trump’s first term.
- CBP released CSMS #64605146 yesterday with an update to the duties on aluminum derivative imports. CBP advises filers who paid duties on some goods with HTSUS 9903.85.08 classification on or after March 12, 2025, to file a PSC correcting the entry to obtain a refund.
- USTR released its 2025 National Trade Estimate Report this week, detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR efforts to reduce the barriers. China and the European Union both “dominate” the report, and Politico’s Doug Palmer says that this could be a sign that the “two big U.S. trading partners could be among those hardest hit by new reciprocal tariffs.
- House Democrats reportedly wrote President Trump this week saying that USMCA has “failed American workers, family farmers and communities nationwide.” The letter also includes recommendations targeting labor, government procurement, and intellectual property, among others.
