On December 31, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation announcing that he was delaying an increase in the duty rates for imports of upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities. Referencing “productive negotiations of agreements with multiple countries to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imports of wood products,” President
USTR Issues Affirmative Determination in China Semiconductor Section 301 Investigation
On December 23, 2025, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined that China’s acts, policies, and practices related to targeting of the semiconductor industry for dominance are actionable under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Accordingly, the USTR will take tariff action on U.S. imports of semiconductors from China, with an initial tariff
United States Retroactively Implements Reduced Tariff Rates for Imports from Switzerland
On December 18, 2025, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) issued a notice that the United States was implementing certain tariff-related elements of the Framework for a United States-Switzerland-Liechtenstein Agreement on Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade. The framework for this agreement was announced in mid-November 2025 and covered various areas of negotiations addressing
USTR Announces Section 301 Tariffs on Nicaragua
On December 10, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register notice announcing actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the dismantling of the rule
USTR Provides Details on Tariff Modifications Under U.S.-Korea Trade Deal
On November 14, 2025, the White House released a Fact Sheet providing details on The Korea Strategic Trade and Investment deal first announced in July 2025. See Thompson Hine Update of November 17, 2025, for additional details. On December 3, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a formal notice implementing
USTR Extends Remaining China Section 301 Product Exclusions
On November 26, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register notice announcing the extension of exclusions in the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The 178 exclusions were previously scheduled to expire on November 29, 2025, but have
President Trump Modifies Scope of Tariffs on Brazil
On November 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order modifying the scope of certain ad valorem tariffs on Brazil implemented on July 30, 2005, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These earlier tariffs placed a 40% duty rate on certain articles of Brazil, including numerous agricultural products, coffee and beef.
CBP Issues WRO on Garments and Apparel Manufactured in Mauritius
On November 18, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the issuance of a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against garments, apparel, and textiles manufactured in Mauritius by Firemount Group Ltd. The WRO follows an investigation into the company where CBP discovered several indicators of forced labor use, including abuse of vulnerability, debt bondage, deception
United States and Ecuador Reach Framework Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
According to a Joint Statement issued by the White House on November 13, 2025, the United States and the Republic of Ecuador have entered into a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade to “provide access to each other’s markets and increase alignment on economic and national security matters.” As noted in a separate White
United States and Argentina Reach Framework Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
On November 13, 2025, the United States and the Argentine Republic entered a framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. The Agreement seeks “to drive long-term growth, expand opportunity, and create a transparent and rules-based environment for commerce and innovation.” While representatives from both countries continue to negotiate and finalize the formal agreement, it will