October 8, 2025—Top Stories:
Trump’s Meeting with Carney Provides Little Insight into USMCA Renewal Goals
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is open to renegotiating the North American trade pact he signed during his first term but also left open the possibility of abandoning the trilateral framework altogether. “We could renegotiate it, and that would be good, or we can just do different deals,” Trump said of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
As negotiated by the first Trump administration, the USMCA contains a “sunset” provision that terminates the pact after 16 years, unless countries agree to continue it.
It also requires a “Free Trade Commission” composed of government representatives from the three countries to meet on July 1, 2026, the sixth anniversary of entry into force of the USMCA, to conduct a joint review of the pact.
At that time, each party must confirm whether it wishes to extend the term of the agreement beyond the initial 16 years. If all parties agree, the pact would be extended until 2042, with a second mandatory review scheduled for 2032.
If one or more parties say they do not want to continue the pact, the three countries are required to conduct annual reviews each year until the issues are resolved. If those talks are unsuccessful, the USMCA would terminate in 2036.
AAEI seeks comments from AAEI members on USMCA’s benefits and challenges. Please provide any comments regarding USMCA to [email protected].
Trump Says Heavy, Medium-Duty Trucks 25% Tariff Begins Nov. 1
President Donald Trump posted on social media that 25% tariffs on medium and heavy-duty trucks will begin Nov. 1. The additional tariffs are being imposed under a national security Section 232 action. Trump had previously said the tariffs would begin Oct. 1.
EU Doubles Steel Tariffs to 50%
The EU announced that it would double its tariffs on steel to 50 percent, in line with U.S. levels, in a bid to bring the Trump administration to the negotiating table and hammer out a deal to get them back down again.
The proposal, details of which were already announced would also slash tariff-free quotas by 47 percent to 18.3 million metric tons — in a bid to address global overproduction and a slump in European output that has left a third of its steel production capacity idle.
With the plans, Brussels would match Canada’s steel protections but not go as far as U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariff, which applies from the first ton on virtually all imports. The U.S. also charges tariffs on consumer products, such as motorcycles, for steel they contain.
The proposal is meant to press for a better deal with the United States, as the two sides agreed in July.
WTO Sees Trade Growing, But Slower in 2026
The World Trade Organization on Tuesday forecast world trade to grow 2.4 percent in 2025, despite the disruptions caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but slow to 0.5 percent growth in 2026.
WTO officials credited the better-than-expected performance in 2025 to increased spending on AI-related products, a surge in North American imports ahead of tariff hikes and strong trade among the rest of the world in response.
Commerce Posts 2nd Round of Steel and Aluminum Tariff Inclusion Requests, Comments Due Oct. 21
The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security posted 95 requests for inclusions of new tariff subheadings under 50% Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives.
CBP Issues Guidance on 301 China-built Vessel Fees
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued guidance regarding the Section 301 China-built vessel fees that are set to take effect on Oct. 14, The CBP guidance can be found here – CSMS # 66427144 – Section 301 Vessel Fees. The guidance notes that, “The burden for determining if a vessel owes the fee is on the operator, NOT CBP.” Since the fees have to be paid by the ocean carrier, the guidance is directed to the carriers. USTR may issue FAQs in advance of the Oct. 14 start of the fee collection.
Senate Confirms Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Trade
Francis Brooke was approved to be assistant secretary for international trade and development. The Assistant Secretary for International Trade and Development supports Treasury’s portfolio on international financial services issues, trade and investment policy, and U.S. relations with multilateral development banks.
Trump Ends Export Advisory Council
The President Export Council (PEC) was not among a list of federal advisory committees that President Donald Trump chose to maintain in an executive order released Sept. 29. The Administration’s position is that the PEC’s expansive mandate does not align with the targeted priorities of the America First Trade Policy. The Administration noted that the PEC’s structure — spanning dozens of members from across government, labor, and industry — tends to promote consensus-based recommendations that dilute bold, pro-American action. President Carter established the PEC in 1979. The PEC was annually funded by previous administrations.
FDA Recent Updates:
Import Certification
FDA provided notification today regarding the use of import certification for certain shrimp and spices potentially contaminated with cesium-137. Today, FDA published Import Alert 99-52 “Detention Without Physical Examination of Certain Human Food Products From Certain Regions In Indonesia Subject To The Requirement of Import Certification Per Section 801(q)” which notifies industry of FDA’s intent to implement import certification starting October 31, 2025. Along with this notification, FDA published a new webpage for Import Certification. The published import alert has contacts listed if you have additional questions.
Biological Samples
The next item is regarding biological specimens (e.g. urine, stool, tissue affixed to a slide, blood, plasma, serum, biopsies) for testing in a clinical laboratory or for basic scientific research. Biological specimens and samples used for non-clinical research use do not fall under the purview of FDA. If the biological specimens being imported are intended for use ONLY for testing in a clinical laboratory or for basic scientific research and are not articles intended for the prevention, treatment, diagnosis, or cure of diseases or conditions in human beings, then the specimens are not considered to be biological products subject to licensure by FDA, nor would they appear to be a drug or device. As such, biological specimens for testing in a clinical laboratory or for basic scientific research do not require FDA review and should be disclaimed. FDA recommends that importers clearly indicate the shipment contents and intended use on any associated documentation/labeling. However, other federal agencies may have requirements that apply to biological specimens. Importers should confirm with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) whether permits are required.
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/import-permit-program/php/ or email [email protected].
- APHIS: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-product-import
Biological specimens intended to be used for processing or manufacturing HCT/Ps or biological products, drugs, or devices, are subject to FDA jurisdiction and must meet FDA’s requirements for HCT/Ps, biological products, drugs, and/or devices.
For more information on biological specimens, the following website is very helpful: Importing CBER-Regulated Products: Clinical Laboratories and Basic Scientific Research | FDA
Industry Insight:
Cracking Down on Customs Fraud Using the False Claims Act (Pt. 1)
The DOJ has made it clear: customs fraud is a top enforcement priority. With the launch of the Trade Fraud Task Force and a sharpened focus on using the False Claims Act (FCA), Denise Barnes and Evelyn Suarez reveal that companies should expect heightened scrutiny of tariff classification, valuation, and country-of-origin declarations.
