May 14, 2025–Top Stories
White House Update
China announced this weekend that it intends to uphold the global trade system while making an agreement with the U.S.
President Trump signed an executive order this week suspending 24 percentage points of additional tariffs on Chinese imports, lowering the rate to 10% for 90 days, as part of a temporary deal with China. The deal also includes China reducing certain critical mineral restrictions on the U.S.
The Trump Administration reached a trade deal with the United Kingdom last week to increase market access for American goods while keeping the 10% reciprocal tariff rate in place. This is the Administration’s first trade deal since the “Liberation Day” tariff announcement.
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, May 20th at 2:00 p.m. EDT and will include a member presentation on managing the new tariffs.
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.”
Stay informed of tariff changes using AAEI’s Presidential Actions Timeline.
Legislative Update
The House Ways and Means reconciliation bill unveiled this week would eliminate the de minimis exemption starting in July 2027. The bill also proposes fines of up to $10,000 for companies that violate the new rules.
Regulatory Insight
BIS announced yesterday that it is seeking public comments on its Section 232 national security investigation into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and related parts. Public comments are being accepted through June 3, 2025.
AAEI Actions
AAEI’s Eugene Laney spoke at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit last weekend, sharing insights from AAEI members and the trade community on working with U.S.-based suppliers, managing logistics, navigating trade regulations, and reducing costs while maximizing efficiency. Former President Trump also urged foreign investment in the U.S. during his pre-recorded remarks.
Continue the conversation at AAEI’s Annual Conference and Trade Day June 26-27 in Washington, DC. If you haven’t registered yet, click here.
More Stories to Stay Informed:
- About 150 House Democrats filed an amicus brief this week saying that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) cannot be used to grant a president authority to impose tariffs. This brief is a response to President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs.
- BIS announced a recission of the Biden Administration’s AI Diffusion Rule this week. The announcement includes new measures to tighten export controls on semiconductor technology.
- The Department of Justice announced a white-collar enforcement plan this week, which includes areas of focus and enforcement. The areas of priority for investigation and prosecution include “[t]rade and customs fraud, including tariff evasion.”
- President Trump fired all the Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) last week, continuing his dismissals of Biden appointees.
- CBP will enforce a new validation requiring Supplemental Manifest information when submitting to the Export Manifest email inbox starting tomorrow.
