On September 25, 2025, President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on heavy-duty trucks beginning October 1, 2025. The social media post did not specify the legal basis for the tariff but indicated it was necessary “for many reasons, but above all else, for national security
David M. Schwartz
David is the leader of Thompson Hine's International Trade practice group and a member of the firm's International Committee. He advises clients on the risks and opportunities presented by U.S. international trade laws and regulations and international trade agreements. He focuses on antidumping (AD), countervailing duty (CVD) and safeguard litigation, international trade policy, and cross-border compliance issues affecting goods, services, technology and investments that involve transportation, customs, export controls, economic sanctions, anti-boycott and anti-bribery laws and regulations.
President Trump Signs Executive Order on China’s Divestment of TikTok
On September 25, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order (EO), “Saving TikTok While Protecting National Security”, stating that “a plan has been presented to me to undergo a qualified divestiture of TikTok’s United States operations, as outlined in a framework agreement.” While the agreement has not been made public, the EO indicates that:…
Department of Commerce Lists EU Tariff Exemptions
On September 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced tariff exemptions for certain goods imported from the EU. The notice modified additional duty rates applicable to certain imported products of EU member countries.
On August 21, 2025, the United States and the EU announced an agreement that adjusted tariffs on certain EU products, including…
Federal Circuit Upholds CIT Decision Supporting China Section 301 Lists 3 and 4A Tariffs
On September 25, 2025, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) upheld the decision of the Court of International Trade (CIT) sustaining the China Section 301 tariffs. This decision followed oral argument at the CAFC on January 8, 2025, in the test case for the China Section 301 tariff…
Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Personal Protective Equipment, Medical Consumables, and Medical Equipment
On September 2, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment including devices. Interested parties may submit written comments, data, analyses, or…
Department of Commerce Initiates Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Robotics and Industrial Machinery
On September 2, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of robotics and industrial machinery. According to the notice, the term “robotics and industrial machinery” for this investigation includes, among other things…
USTR Initiates Public Consultation Process for USMCA Joint Review
Update: On November 7, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued a notice rescheduling the public hearing on the operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). Originally scheduled for November 17, the hearing will now take place from December 3 to 5…
USTR Seeks Comment on Possible Extension of Remaining China Section 301 Product Exclusions
On September 16, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a notice and request for public comments on the possible extension of the remaining 178 product exclusions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The USTR has extended these exclusions…
Trump Administration Announces Changes to Japan Tariffs
On September 16, 2025, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) released a Federal Register notice announcing changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) as to general tariffs on imports of Japanese goods in order to implement the United States-Japan Agreement (see Executive Order 14345). Under the original framework…
U.S. Supreme Court to Review the Legality of Trump Administration’s IEEPA-Based Tariffs
On September 9, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a consolidation of two cases challenging the legality of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). It has scheduled oral arguments for the first week of November, an unusually swift timeline for the Court.
The first case…
