Last Update: April 29, 2025 - Subscribe to Infoverus to stay updated!

 

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated on an ongoing basis. The tariff landscape and the areas it affects are continuously changing . A single article is insufficient and multiple different articles will be too much to meaningfully connect.

 

Therefore, this summary will pick up as of April 10, 2025 and provide a summary of where things stand today. Infoverus will, on an ongoing basis, update this article to provide up to date information on tariff rates and its impact across multiple areas.

 

Top 15 US Trading Partners

 

 

May 18, 2025 Update

Temporary Pause on China Tariffs

Title of Executive Order: Temporary Suspension of Certain Chinese Tariffs

Date Signed: May 12, 2025

Signed by: President Donald J. Trump

 

Executive Summary

This executive order temporarily reduces certain tariffs on imports from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including Hong Kong and Macau, for a 90-day period starting May 14, 2025. This move follows recent diplomatic discussions between the United States and China aimed at addressing concerns about trade reciprocity and national security. It also includes specific changes to tariffs on low-value imports related to the synthetic opioid supply chain.

 

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Background
  The order references prior executive actions (14257, 14259, 14266) that imposed higher tariffs on PRC goods in response to trade imbalances and retaliatory measures by China. The PRC’s recent willingness to engage in discussions with the United States is seen as a step toward resolving these issues, justifying a temporary suspension of some of those tariffs (Section 1).
• Section 2: Suspension of Country-Specific Ad Valorem Duty
  Starting May 14, 2025, all goods from the PRC, Hong Kong, and Macau will be subject to a flat additional tariff of 10%. This reflects a temporary suspension of 24 percentage points from the original duty rate established in Executive Order 14257 and removes the higher duties added by Executive Orders 14259 and 14266 (Section 2).
• Section 3: Tariff Modifications
  Modifications to the HTSUS include:
• Changing item descriptions in heading 9903.01.25
• Reducing the tariff rate in heading 9903.01.63 and related notes from 125% to 34%
• Temporarily suspending certain headings and notes for 90 days beginning May 14, 2025 (Section 3).
• Section 4: De Minimis Tariff Decrease
  The tariff on low-value imports from China tied to the synthetic opioid supply chain is reduced from 120% to 54%. The existing $100 per-item duty remains in effect and will not rise to $200 as previously scheduled for June 1, 2025 (Section 4).

 

April 29, 2025 Update

Auto Tariff Offset Program

Executive Order Title: Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States

Date Signed: April 29, 2025

Signed by: President Donald J. Trump

 

Why it Matters: There is growing concern among consumers that the cost for certain necessary goods like vehicles may soon increase due to tariffs. This is a new attempt by the Trump Administration to relieve some of those concerns. It's undetermined whether this will be a successful measure.

 

Executive Summary

This executive order modifies a previous tariff system established in Proclamation 10908, which imposed duties on imported automobiles and automobile parts due to national security concerns. The order introduces an "import adjustment offset" program. This program provides monetary relief to auto manufacturers that assemble vehicles in the United States, based on the value of those U.S.-assembled vehicles. The overall goal is to incentivize domestic production, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, and support the defense industrial base.

 

Key Provisions

• Modification of Tariff System (Section 1):
  • This section creates a relief program called the import adjustment offset. It allows car manufacturers to lower the amount they owe in tariffs on imported automobile parts—but only if they build those cars in the United States.
  • The idea is to reward companies that assemble vehicles in the U.S. by letting them reduce what they pay in tariffs on the parts they import.
  • The amount of relief a company can get is tied to how many cars they assemble in the U.S. and how valuable those cars are.
  • There are two time periods, each with its own relief rate:
  • From April 3, 2025, to April 30, 2026: Companies can get a tariff offset equal to 3.75% of the total MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of all vehicles they assemble in the U.S.
  • From May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027: The offset drops to 2.5% of the total MSRP of those U.S.-assembled vehicles.
  • These percentages are calculated based on the assumption that 25% tariffs are being applied to parts that make up 15% (for the first year) or 10% (for the second year) of a vehicle’s total value.
  • The vehicles must be finally assembled in the United States—not just partially built or modified.
  • The offset can only be used to reduce that specific manufacturer's tariff costs under the earlier order (Proclamation 10908). It can’t be used to lower other types of import fees or for vehicles not assembled in the U.S.
  • If a company qualifies for more relief than what it owes in tariffs, it can’t apply the extra amount elsewhere. The relief is capped.
  • Companies can designate which importers of record—including their suppliers—can use this tariff relief on their behalf. These importers must be directly tied to the company’s U.S.-assembled vehicles.
• Summary
• How the relief works:
• Important rules and limits:
• Tariffs Under Proclamation 10908
• A 25% tariff is imposed on imported automobiles, effective April 3, 2025.
• A 25% tariff is also imposed on certain automobile parts, effective May 3, 2025.

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/amendments-to-adjusting-imports-of-automobiles-and-automobile-parts-into-the-united-states/

 

April 14, 2025 Update

Semiconductor Tariff Exception

 

Executive Summary

On April 11, 2025 President Trump clarified trough a Presidential Memorandum that certain semiconductor-related products are exempt from the additional import duties imposed by his April 2nf Reciprocal Tariff Executive Order (EO 14257). The memo defines which specific products are included under the term “semiconductors” and confirms these exemptions apply retroactively to April 5, 2025. It also directs the modification of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to reflect these exemptions and instructs refund procedures for any improperly collected duties.

 

Key Provisions

• Definition of Semiconductor Exceptions
• The memorandum clarifies that the term “semiconductors,” as used in Executive Order 14257 and its related orders, includes products classified under specific headings and subheadings in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). These include a range of computers, computer parts, and telecom equipment identified by HTSUS codes such as 8471, 8542, and others (pg. 1, para. 3).
• What is the HTSUS
• The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS or HTSUS) is the official system used by the U.S. government to classify and assign duty rates to all goods imported into the country.
• Managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), it helps determine how goods are categorized and what duties apply, based on their content, function, or name.
• Each imported product must fall into only one classification within the HTS, ensuring consistency and clarity for trade purposes.
• Structure of the HTS
  • 4-digit: Heading
  • 6- and 8-digit: Subheadings
  • 10-digit: Statistical reporting numbers
    These codes describe a product’s characteristics such as material, name, and intended use (pg. 1, para. 4–5).
• The HTS is divided into chapters, each assigned a 2-digit number. Within each chapter, product categories are designated using a series of digits:

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/clarification-of-exceptions-under-executive-order-14257-of-april-2-2025-as-amended/ & https://learning.usitc.gov/hts-guide/index.html#/lessons/5kiXmXPbgruFfnpCpdpg-1gkCkaQ3c6-

 

April 10, 2025 Update

Executive Summary

On April 9, 2025 President Trump signed another tariff related Executive Order that builds upon previous orders (Executive Order 14257 and the April 8, 2025 amendment) by further responding to retaliatory tariffs imposed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It increases tariff rates on PRC imports and temporarily adjusts tariff structures for over 75 other countries that have shown willingness to cooperate on trade reciprocity. The Order also raises duties on certain low-value imports from the PRC to prevent circumvention of these measures. 

 

Suspension of Country-Specific Ad Valorem Rates of Duty

• Suspends the enforcement of country-specific tariffs for nations listed in Annex I to Executive Order 14257.
• Instead imposes a flat 10% ad valorem duty on these countries for 90 days, starting April 10, 2025, with exceptions maintained from the original order (Sec. 2).

Tariff Modifications

• Raises tariff on PRC goods from 84% to 125%, effective April 10, 2025.
• Updates Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) headings accordingly.
• Suspends multiple HTSUS tariff headings for 90 days starting April 10, 2025 (Sec. 3).

De Minimis Tariff Increase

• Increases tariffs under Executive Order 14256 (related to the synthetic opioid supply chain):
  • From $75 to $100 between May 2 and May 31, 2025.
  • From $150 to $200 starting June 1, 2025 (Sec. 4).
• Raises low-value import tariff rate from 90% to 120%.
• Raises postal item tariffs:

Background on Executive Order 14257

• Imposes a new 10% ad valorem tariff on all imports into the United States unless otherwise stated.
• Authorizes higher country-specific tariff rates listed in Annex I for designated trading partners starting April 9, 2025.

 

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/modifying-reciprocal-tariff-rates-to-reflect-trading-partner-retaliation-and-alignment/