Note: This timeline intends to provide a complete list of trade actions taken by the Trump administration since day one (January 20, 2017) in the categories of:
- Policy Document: includes all proclamations, announcements, decisions, and official reports released by the White House and government agencies under the executive branch (such as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative).
- Trade remedy measures: includes all policy actions taken under the U.S. trade remedy laws, such as anti-dumping, countervailing duty, safeguard measures, and Section 301 investigation.
- Trade agreement: includes the negotiation, modification, and termination of any U.S. free trade agreement and trade preference programs.
- WTO: includes using any exciting WTO mechanisms and any WTO-related trade actions.
- Textile and apparel: measures directly target or affect textile and apparel products
- Policy trend: includes important statements made by senior trade policy officials signaling the future of U.S. trade policy.
All entries are documented with official links provided–however, I don’t track social media. I hope the timeline can provide a fact-based record useful to industry professionals and scholars. All suggestions and advice are more than welcome (Email: shenglu@udel.edu).
December 10, 2025: The U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) announced it would take targeted Section 301 action to address “Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of the rule of law.” Effective January 1, 2026, the U.S. will impose a tariff that is phased-in over two years on all imported Nicaraguan goods that are not originating under CAFTA-DR. The tariff will be set at zero percent on January 1, 2026 and will increase to 10 percent on January 1, 2027, and to 15 percent on January 1, 2028. These tariffs will stack with the 18% reciprocal tariffs. However, USTR warned that the Section 301 tariffs and its timeline could be modified should “Nicaragua show a lack of progress in addressing these issues.” Meanwhile, according to OTEXA, about 60% of U.S. apparel imports from Nicaragua (January to September) claimed the duty-free benefits under CAFTA-DR, up from 50% in 2024. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
December 1, 2025: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health and Human Services announced an agreement in principle on pharmaceutical pricing between the United States and the United Kingdom. [Policy Document] [Trade agreement]
November 13, 2025: The White House announced the reaching of a framework agreement with El Salvador on reciprocal trade. According to the USTR factsheet for the framework, the U.S. will “remove the reciprocal tariffs from and provide preferential treatment to certain products, such as textiles and apparel products, qualifying under the CAFTA-DR.” The agreement didn’t specify when the new tariff would take effect.[Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
November 13, 2025: The White House announced the reaching of a framework agreement with Guatemala on reciprocal trade. According to the USTR factsheet for the framework, the U.S. will “remove the reciprocal tariffs from and provide preferential treatment to certain products, such as textiles and apparel products, qualifying under the CAFTA-DR.” The agreement didn’t specify when the new tariff would take effect. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
November 13, 2025: The White House announced the reaching of a framework agreement with Ecuador on reciprocal trade. According to the agreement, Ecuador commits to removing various tariffs and non-tariff barriers facing U.S. products. The agreement didn’t mention lowering U.S. reciprocal tariff rates for Ecuador, which was set at 10%. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement]
November 13, 2025: The White House announced the reaching of a framework agreement with Argentina on reciprocal trade. According to the agreement, Argentina commits to removing various tariffs and non-tariff barriers facing U.S. products. The agreement didn’t mention lowering U.S. reciprocal tariff rates for Argentina, which was set at 10%. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement]
November 13, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced that certain food and agricultural products will no longer be subject to the IEEPA “reciprocal tariffs,” including coffee and tea; tropical fruits and fruit juices; cocoa and spices; bananas, oranges, and tomatoes; beef; and additional fertilizers. The new tariff rate took effect on November 14, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures]
November 1, 2025: The White House released the fact sheet of its “deal on economic and trade relations with China.” According to the text, the U.S. side would:
- remove 10% of the “fentanyl tariffs” on Chinese imports, effective November 10 2025.
- suspend heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports until November 10 2026. However, the “10% reciprocal tariff” remains in effect during that period.
- extend certain Section 301 tariff exclusions (which were due to expire November 29, 2025) to November 10 2026.
- suspend for one year certain interim rules related to end-user controls and certain Section 301 responsive actions (e.g., concerning China’s maritime, logistics, ship-building sectors) while continuing negotiations. Meanwhile, the U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) solicited public comments on the suspention from November 6 to 7, 2025.
[Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 26, 2025: The White House released the text of the “trade deal” with Malaysia. Under the deal, the U.S. will maintain a 19 % reciprocal tariff rate on imports from Malaysia. A few items will be waived for the receivable tariffs, including a very few silk items (under chapter 50). Furthermore, while the word “transhipment” was not used, the agreement’s rules of origin provision states that “If benefits of this Agreement are accruing substantially to third countries or third-country nationals, a Party may establish rules of origin necessary to achieve the Parties’ intention for this Agreement.” The Office of the U.S. Trade Represneative (USTR) also released a fact sheet of the agreement. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 26, 2025: The White House released the text of the “trade deal” with Cambodia. Under the deal, the U.S. will maintain a 19 % reciprocal tariff rate on imports from Malaysia. A few items will be waived for the receivable tariffs, including a very few silk items (under chapter 50) and Kashmir items (under chapter 51). Furthermore, while the word “transhipment” was not used, the agreement’s rules of origin provision states that “If benefits of this Agreement are accruing substantially to third countries or third-country nationals, a Party may establish rules of origin necessary to achieve the Parties’ intention for this Agreement.” The Office of the U.S. Trade Represneative (USTR) also released a fact sheet of the agreement. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 26, 2025: The White House released a joint statement on a trade framework with Thailand. The United States will maintain a 19 percent reciprocal tariff on imports from Thailand, with a few items exempted. The Office of the U.S. Trade Represneative (USTR) also released a fact sheet of the framework. [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 26, 2025: The White House released a joint statement on a trade framework with Vietnam. The United States will maintain a 20 percent reciprocal tariff on imports from Vietnam, with a few items exempted. The Office of the U.S. Trade Represneative (USTR) also released a fact sheet of the framework. Transhipment issue was not mentioned in the framework text [Policy Document] [Trade Remedy Measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 24, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the launch of a new Section 301 investigation to evaluate “ whether China has fully implemented its commitments under the Phase One Agreement, the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce resulting from any non-implementation by China of its commitments, and what action, if any, should be taken in response.” USTR will collect public comment by December 1, 2025 and host a hearing on December 16, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
October 20, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued the findings of the Section 301 investigation against Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to labor rights, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. USTR found that Nicaragua’s actions and policies were “actionable” under Section 301 and proposed the following remedy measures: 1) Suspend the application of all CAFTA-DR benefits to Nicaragua immediately or phased in over a period of time up to 12 months.2) Suspend the application of some CAFTA-DR benefits to Nicaragua immediately or phased in over a period of time up to 12 months. 3) Apply tariffs up to 100 percent on all Nicaraguan imports, immediately or phased in over a period of time up to 12 months. 4) Apply tariffs up to 100 percent on some Nicaraguan imports immediately, with tariffs for selected sectors phased in over a period of time up to 12 months. USTR will solicit public comments on the above options until November 19, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 10, 2025: In response to China’s newly announced export control on rare earth, President Trump, through his social media, threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese products on top of all existing tariffs. The new tariff is planned to take effect on November 1, 2025.[Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel] [Policy trend]
October 17, 2025: President Trump issued a proclamation and announced to impose Section 232 (national security) tariffs on imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks (25%) and buses (10%) effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Nov. 1, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
October 1, 2025: The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act (Haiti HOPE/HELP) expired. While U.S. apparel imports from Haiti still can qualify for preferential duty treatment under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), the rules of origin requirement will be much more restrictive. [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
October 1, 2025: The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired. U.S. apparel imports from AGOA members are now subject to normal most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs plus the “reciprocal tariff,” unless the trade preference program is renewed. [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
September 29, 2025: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released a new “50% rule.” Specifically, the BIS rule imposes the same export license requirements as the parent company on any foreign entity owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, individually or in aggregate, by one or more entities on the identified lists. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
September 29, 2025: In a presidential proclamation, President Trump announced to impose additional 232 tariffs of 10% tariff on lumber imports and 25% on cabinets and furniture, starting from October 14, 2025. The new tariffs apply to imports from all sources. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
September 24, 2025: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan by Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd, based on information that reasonably indicates forced labor use. Effective immediately, CBP will detain bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan by Giant. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
September 4, 2025: In the format of an executive order, the White House released the text of the U.S.-Japan trade deal. The text specifies that U.S. imports from Japan will face a flat 15% tariff or the MFN rate, whichever is higher. The tariff rate took effect retroactively on August 7, 2025. The executive order further mentioned that “The Secretary may issue rules, regulations, guidance, and procedures to carry out the provisions of this section, including rules for determining what are “products of Japan” for purposes of this section.”[Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
September 5, 2025: In a new executive order, President Trump explained how the IEEPA tariff rate could change in the future. Specifically: 1) for aligned partners (trading partners that enter into “final agreements” or “framework agreements” with the U.S.) the reciprocal tariff on certain imports may be reduced to zero percent. 2) The goods eligible for zero percent are those that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the U.S., or not in sufficient quantities; certain agricultural products; aircraft and aircraft parts; non-patented pharmaceutical-use articles. However, except for silk, no other textile and apparel products were included on the list. 3) Tariffs imposed under section 232 (which relate to national security and imports of steel, aluminum, automobiles, copper etc.) remain part of what may be modified under agreements. The order allows for reducing or modifying those section 232 tariffs, but generally not narrowing their scope before a final agreement is concluded. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
September 2, 2025: The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued an FR notice, detailing the implementation of the President’s Executive Order 14324 regarding Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
August 2025: The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a graphic fact sheet summarizing the new tariff rates in 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
August 28, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced further extending 164 products (10-digit HS code) China Section 301 exclusions to November 29, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
August 21, 2025: The White House released a Joint Statement on a United States-European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
August 11, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced extending the current reciprocal tariff rate on imports from China (i.e., 10% IEEPA tariff rate + 20% “fentanyl tariffs” + Section 301 tariffs + MFN tariff rate) for another 90 days until November 10, 2025. During this period, the two countries will continue trade talks, aiming to reach a deal on tariffs and other trade issues. In an earlier executive order issued on July 31, 2025, President Trump announced the IEEPA reciprocal tariff rates for most countries, which took effect on August 7, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
August 6, 2025: In an executive order, President Donald J. Trump announced the imposition of a 25% ad valorem tariff on imports from India, effective August 27, 2025. This action targets goods from India directly or indirectly linked to the importation of Russian Federation oil, in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which threatens U.S. national security and foreign policy. The order establishes a mechanism to assess and potentially impose similar tariffs on other countries involved in importing Russian oil, signaling that more nations could be targeted. Additionally, the tariff structure allows for modification, suspension, or removal if India or other affected countries change their behavior to align with U.S. interests, providing a pathway for adjustment based on compliance. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
July 31, 2025: President Trump issued an executive order, announcing the imposition of modified “reciprocal tariffs” under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to take effect on August 7, 2025. About 70 countries received a specific tariff rate specified in the executive order. Except for the EU, these tariff rates will be imposed on top of the existing Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate. Products that are illegally transshipped would also face an additional 40% tariff rate, although the definition of “transshipment” remained unclear. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
July 30, 2025: President Trump issued an executive order, announcing the end of the de minimis rules for low-value shipments under $800. Starting from August 29, 2025: 1) Small-value imports entering the US using private carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) must go through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and be formally entered. They will face all applicable duties, taxes, fees, and customs charges just like any other import. 2) small value imports using international postal shipments have two options in the initial six months (i.e., until February 2026). One is to pay the Ad valorem duties based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate for the country of origin. The other is to pay a specific duty based on tiers–$80 per item if the IEEPA tariff rate is < 16%; $160 if 16–25% $200 if > 25%. After six months, only ad valorem duties apply. Meanwhile, according to an earlier executive order issued in May 2025, since May 2, 2025, US imports from China were no longer qualified for de minimis (i.e., either 54% ad valorem or $100 flat fee per item). [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
July 30, 2025: In a presidential proclamation, President Trump announced the imposition of a 50% ad valorem tariff on the copper content of all semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivatives (e.g., pipes, wires, rods, fittings, cables, connectors, electrical components) imported into the U.S., starting August 1, 2025. The action was taken under Section 232 (national security) of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
July 30, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced the imposition of an additional 40% ad valorem tariff on most imports from Brazil—on top of an existing 10% reciprocal tariff—bringing the total duty rate to 50%, effective August 6, 2025. The action, taken under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and related authorities, was in response to actions by the Brazilian government deemed to threaten U.S. national security, foreign policy, and the economy. Certain goods, including energy products, pulp, fertilizers, pig iron, silicon metal, and specific metals and aircraft components, are exempt from the additional duty. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
July 28, 2025: The White House released a fact sheet about the newly reached US-EU trade deal announced by President Trump. The fact sheet stated that “the European Union will pay the United States a tariff rate of 15%, including on autos and auto parts, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. However, the sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper will remain unchanged—the EU will continue to pay 50% and the parties will discuss securing supply chains for these products.” However, unlike the EU fact sheet, the White House did not confirm whether the stacking issue will apply to the 15% tariff rate. Meanwhile, the fact sheet stated that “The United States and the European Union will establish strong rules of origin to ensure that the benefits of this agreement flow directly to the United States and the European Union, not to third countries.” [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement]
July 15, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released to the public the 2024 China WTO Compliance Report. Similar to the findings in the past, the report stated that “In the United States, it is widely accepted that the existing WTO rules do not, and cannot, effectively discipline many of China’s most harmful policies and practices” The report added that “China plainly does not embrace our core values, which, like the fundamental principles of the WTO, include openness, fair competition, non-discrimination, reciprocity and transparency as well as adherence to the rule of law.”[Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [WTO]
July 7, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced the extension of the “90-day pause” on implementing the “reciprocal tariffs” to August 1, 2025 (previously was July 9, 2025). The White House sent out letters to several countries informing them of the new deadline of August 1, 2025, to either reach a “trade deal” with the U.S. or face the increased reciprocal tariff rate. The “reciprocal tariffs,” with extremely high specific rates for numerous countries, were announced on April 2, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
July 2,2025: Through his social media, President Trump announced the reaching of a “trade deal” between the U.S. and Vietnam. Trump announced that while U.S. products would enter Vietnam duty-free, Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. would be subject to “a 20% Tariff” or a “40% Tariff on any Transshipping.” The text and other details of the agreement were not provided. [Textile and apparel] [Trade agreement]
June 2025: June 2025: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a new “Forced Labor Allegation Portal,” where anyone and organization can submit allegations about the use of forced labor. [Trade remedy measures]
June 16, 2025: The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it will extend steel tariffs to more “derivative” products, including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and more, effective June 23, 2025. The Commerce Department released the initial “derivative” list on March 5, 2025, by following the order of the Presidential Proclamation. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
June 5, 2025: In its latest Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners (June 2025), the Trump administration found “no currency manipulator.” Nine countries were on the Treasury “Monitoring list,” including China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
June 3, 2025: In a Proclamation, President Trump announced increasing the punitive tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%, effective on June 4, 2025. The tariff was imposed under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (i.e., national security).[Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
June 1, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced further extending 164 products (10-digit HS code) China Section 301 exclusions to August 31, 2025. The exclusion was to end on May 31, 2025, according to an announcement in May 2024 by USTR. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
May 28, 2025: The United States Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled to block President Trump’s IEEPA tariffs (25% on Canada and Mexico, 20% on China, and the 10% baseline tariff). CIT ordered the government to issue revised orders implementing the Court’s decision within 10 calendar days. The Trump administration appealed the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
May 25, 205: President Trump stated in a public speech that “we’re not looking to make sneakers and t-shirts. …. I’m not looking to make t-shirts, to be honest. I’m not looking to make socks.” [Policy trend]
May 12, 2025: President Trump issued an executive order, announcing the modification of the “reciprocal tariffs” and the de minimis rule changes on imports from China as a result of a trade deal reached between the two countries. Specifically, the reciprocal tariff rate on Chinese products will be reduced from 125% to 34%. In 90 days beginning on May 14, 2025, a 10% reciprocal tariff rate will apply on Chinese products on top of the existing MFN tariff and the 20% “fentanyl tariffs.” Meanwhile, starting from May 14, 2025, the tariff rate applied to de minimis imports from China under the postal service will be cut from 120% to 54%. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
May 12, 2025: The Joint Statement on U.S.-China Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva was released. The U.S. and China agreed to cut the tariffs on each other’s products substantially and scale back the tariff war. The two countries also agreed to establish “a mechanism to continue important discussions about trade and economics.” The mechanism will be led by the Vice Premier on the Chinese side and the U.S. Treasury Secretary and Trade Representative on the U.S. side. The White House also released a Fact Sheet, highlighting the major agreements in the joint statement. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement]
May 8, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the reach of a trade agreement with the United Kingdom in principle. The trade deal in general includes tariff reduction, removing discriminatory trade barriers for U.S. agricultural and industrial goods in the United Kingdom, giving U.S. producers reciprocal market access, and negotiating strong digital trade provisions. According to the USTR, the two countries will continue to negotiate the details of the agreement. The White House also released a fact sheet about the trade deal. [Policy Document] [Trade agreement]
April 29, 2025: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2025 Special 301 Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights. Counterfeit fashion apparel products made in China and other countries were highlighted in the report. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
April 15, 2025: President Trump signed an executive order, announcing the launch of a Section 232 investigation into “the national security risks posed by U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivative products.” The White House also released a fact sheet to go along with the Executive Order, which noted that “any resulting tariff rate imposed under Section 232 would take the place of the current reciprocal tariff rate, pursuant to President Trump’s April 2 order.” [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
April 11, 2025: President Trump issued a presidential memorandum, stating that semiconductor imports from China would not be subject to the 125% “reciprocal tariffs” announced earlier. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
April 11, 2025: President Trump issued a new executive order, announcing an increase in the “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from China to 125% on top of all existing tariffs. The action was in response to China’s announced retaliation against US punitive tariffs. The new reciprocal tariffs took effect immediately. The new executive order also announced that the low-value shipment from China that entered the US through postal services would be subject to a 120% tariff or a flat postal duty ($100 per package between May 2 and May 31, 2025; $200 per package after June 1, 2025). [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
April 8, 2025: In response to China’s announcement of imposing 34% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, President Trump issued a new executive order, announcing an increase in the “reciprocal tariffs” targeting Chinese products from 34% to 84%, effective April 10, 2025. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
April 2, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced the imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from US trading partners by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA),. A universal 10% tariff on imports from all countries took effect on April 5, 2025, and the higher reciprocal tariff rate targeting specific countries would take effect on April 9, 2025. The reciprocal tariffs would be on top of all existing tariffs. Most leading apparel supplying countries to the US were subject to a very high reciprocal tariff rate such as Vietnam (46%), Bangladesh (37%), and China (34%). [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
April 2, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced that U.S. imports from China (including Hong Kong) would no longer be eligible for the de minimis (i.e., low-value shipment) starting from May 2, 2025. Instead, imports from China (including Hong Kong) would be subject to a 30 percent Ad Valorem Duty tariff duty or pay 25 dollars per postal item.[Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
April 2025: The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Frequently Asked Questions, which is updated regularly. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
March 31, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. Issues related to textile and apparel products include Brazil’s import licensing requirements, China’s retaliation against multinational companies over UFLPA compliance, the Philippines and Guatemala’s counterfeit apparel problem, and Honduras’s labor issue in the apparel sector, among others. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
March 6, 2025: President Trump issued two Executive Orders that remove the 25% International Emergency Economic Powers Act(IEEPA) tariffs from Canadian and Mexican imports that claim and qualify for the US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). These tariffs were imposed to address “the flow of illicit drugs” at US borders. The White House also released a fact sheet about the policy adjustment. The US textile industry welcomes pausing the tariff increase. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
March 3, 2025: President Trump announced the invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA) and further increased the additional “10 percent” tariffs on US imports from China effective on February 4, 2025, under the Executive Order 14195 to “20 percent.” In other words, as of March 4, 2025, most US apparel imports from China would be subject to the regular tariffs + Section 301 tariffs +20% additional tariffs. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
March 2, 2025: President Trump announced to temporarily allow US imports from Mexico and Canada covered by Executive Order 14198 and Executive Order 14197 to continue to enjoy the de minimis provision. However, the announcement also stated that “Such duty-free de minimis treatment shall cease to be available for such otherwise eligible covered articles upon notification by the Secretary of Commerce to the President that adequate systems are in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect tariff revenue…” [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel] [Trade remedy measures]
February 27, 2025: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) published the 2025 Trade Policy Agenda, 2024 Annual Report, and World Trade Organization at Thirty report. The agenda lays out the Trump Administration’s vision for trade, describing the economic and national security challenges facing the U.S. and articulates a plan for rebalancing trade to address those challenges, including the work required by the America First Trade Policy Presidential Memorandum announced in January 2025. [Policy Document] [Textile and apparel]
February 13, 2025: In a Presidential Memorandum, President Trump ordered the development of a “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” (Plan). Under the Plan, the Trump administration will “work strenuously to counter non-reciprocal trading arrangements with trading partners by determining the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner. This approach will be of comprehensive scope, examining non-reciprocal trade relationships with all United States trading partners.” Specific factors to be considered in the Plan will include tariffs, non-tariff barriers, value-added tax, exchange rate policy, etc. The Plan asks “the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall assess all fiscal impacts on the Federal Government and the impacts of any information collection requests on the public, and shall deliver an assessment in writing to the President” within 180 days (i.e., by mid August, 2025). A separate Fact Sheet was released which summarized the memorandum. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
February 11, 2025: In a proclamation, President Trump announced raising the existing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 25%. The action involved Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (i.e., national security). The new tariff rate takes effect on March 12, 2025. According to the proclamation, free trade agreement partners, including Mexico and Canada, will not be excluded from the tariff. A separate fact sheet explained the rationale behind the proclamation. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures]
February 6, 2025: President Trump’s nominee for the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, testified at the Senate Finance Committee. During the testimony, Greer articulated several policy positions of the Trump administration on trade:
- US should be a country of producers” as well as consumers, and that he would work to open international markets for U.S. farmers and try to “reverse” the deindustrialization of the nation
- President Trump’s idea of imposing a universal tariff on all imports should be studied to see if it would reduce the U.S. trade deficit
- Jamieson Greer also pledged to review the duty-free handling of smaller parcels entering the US from China and “restructure” the international trading system to better serve American interests. [Policy trend]
February 5, 2025: President Trump issued a new Executive Order delaying the suspension of de minimis on Chinese imports until the Secretary of Commerce figures out how to collect those tariffs.[Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
February 5, 2025: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Federal Register Notice to implement an additional 10 percent tariff on products of China pursuant to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (EO) of February 1, 2025. The CBP notice also notes that such imports “are no longer eligible for the administrative exemption from duty and certain tax at 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C)” (i.e., the de minimis exemption for goods valued at not more than $800).[Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
February 3, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced that because of a deal reached between Canada and the US, the planned additional 25 percent ad valorem rates of duty, and 10 percent ad valorem rates of duty as to energy products” on Canada to take effect on February 1, 2025, shall be paused and will not take effect until March 4, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
February 3, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced that because of a deal reached between Mexico and the US, the planned additional 25 percent ad valorem rates of duty” on products from Mexico to take effect on February 1, 2025, shall be paused and will not take effect until March 4, 2025. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
February 1, 2025: The White House released a fact sheet explaining the decisions to impose additional tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China.
February 1, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced the imposition of an additional “10 percent ad valorem rate of duty” on imports from China to address a “sustained influx of synthetic opioids into the US from China.” The action was based on “the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code.” The tariff will take effect on February 4, 2025. Meanwhile, the executive order says that “No duty drawback” nor “duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 shall not be available for” products subject to the new tariff. The executive order further says that “Should the PRC retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to the PRC or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this Executive Order to ensure the efficacy of this action.” [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
February 1, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced imposing an additional “25 percent ad valorem rate of duty” on imports from Mexico to address “sustained influx of synthetic opioids into the US from Mexico” and situations in the southern border. The action was based on “the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code.” The tariff will take effect on February 4, 2025. Meanwhile, the executive order says that “Should the government of Mexico retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to Mexico or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this Executive Order to ensure the efficacy of this action”. The US textile industry expressed concerns about imposing tariffs on Mexico’s products, given the co-production chain in the region. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
February 1, 2025: In an executive order, President Trump announced imposing an additional “25 percent ad valorem rates of duty, and 10 percent ad valorem rates of duty as to energy products” from Canada to address the “sustained influx of synthetic opioids into the US from Canada” and situations in the northern border. The action was based on “the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code.” The tariff will take effect on February 4, 2025. Meanwhile, the executive order says that “Should the government of Canada retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to Mexico or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this Executive Order to ensure the efficacy of this action”. [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade agreement] [Textile and apparel]
January 21, 2025: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published their second proposed regulation pertaining to low-value shipments (de minims). The proposed regulation would exclude products subject to additional duties under sections 201, 232 or 301 from the de minimis provision. In addition, it proposes that entries claiming this duty exemption provide the 10-digit HTS number. The first proposed regulation was published on January 14, 2025 about creating a new process for entering de minimis shipments, allowing CBP to target high-risk shipments more effectively. [Policy document][Trade remedy measures] [Textile and apparel]
January 20, 2025: President Trump released the “America First Trade Policy.” Aligned with his presidential campaign promises overall. Specifically in the trade area, Trump aims to cut trade deficits, collect more tariff revenues, and take additional measures to address China’s concerning trading practices. As a temporary “relief,” US fashion companies won’t face new Trump tariffs immediately. However, according to the executive order, the new Trump administration will evaluate every possible option and develop a plan by April 1, 2025. These options include but are not limited to imposing a “global supplemental tariff,” launching new investigations authorized by US trade laws such as Section 301, Section 232, Section 337, and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and even revoking China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. The new Trump administration will also explore new bilateral or sector-specific trade agreements and renegotiate existing ones deemed necessary on the basis of “reciprocity” and “mutually advantageous concessions.” [Policy Document] [Trade remedy measures] [Trade Agreement][Textile and apparel]
FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing 