U.S. Trade Policy Updates August 2025

As your logistics partner, we are committed to keeping you informed about the latest trade policy changes that may impact your business. The U.S. Government has announced new tariffs and updated duties affecting imports from the EU, Brazil, Canada, and numerous other countries. Below, we have summarized the key points and provided links to the official fact sheets for your convenience.

Please reach out to your assigned Gebrüder Weiss representative should you have any questions or concerns. 

On July 28^th President Trump announced a Trade Deal with The European Union (EU), fundamentally rebalancing the economic relationship between the two largest economies. 

Some of the key highlights from the document include the following commitments:

• Establishing a single, all-inclusive U.S. tariff ceiling of 15% for EU goods. As of August 7^th, the U.S. will apply this maximum tariff on majority of EU exports.
• Where the general duty rate is lower than 15%, the reciprocal rate will be calculated by subtracting the general duty rate from the 15%.  
  • Ex. General rate of 2.5%; 15% - 2.5% = 12.5%; The IEEPA Reciprocal tariff rate in this example would be 12.5% to represent the 15% ceiling.
• Where the general rate is equal or higher than 15%, the IEEPA Reciprocal tariff will calculate as 0% to represent the 15% ceiling and the duty will be calculated based on the general duty rate.
• The 15% ceiling will also apply to cars and car parts, which currently are subject to a 25% tariff plus a general rate of 2.5% - providing an immediate relief.
• The 15% ceiling will also apply to any potential future tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, including those based on Section 232.
• Section 232 tariffs of 50% will remain in place for EU steel, aluminum and copper. 

EU Countries – European Union List

Additional Duties on Imports from Canada
Pursuant to Executive Order 14193, issued on February 1^st, 2025, was amended by Executive Order, “Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Norther Border” issued on July 31, 2025 with below updated guidance on additional duties due on imports that are the products of Canada.

For goods that are products of Canada, that are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 am eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025, the following duty rates will apply:

Canada IEEPA Fentanyl 9903.01.10: All imports of articles that are products of Canada, other than products under headings 9903.01.12-9903.01.15 and other than products for personal use included in accompanied baggage of persons arriving in the United States – will be assessed an additional duty of 35%.

Goods that qualify for preferential treatment under USMCA will be excluded from the imposition of the 35%. 

No updates on IEEPA Reciprocal duties CSMS# 64680374 guidance dated 04/08/2025 – the Executive Order advises to use tariff 9903.01.26 to exclude Canada from Reciprocal duties. An updated will be provided if that changes.

Extension of Trade Talks with Mexico
On July 31, 2025, President Trump announced that trade talks between U.S. and Mexico will be extended for 90 days, past the original Aug. 1^st deadline for 30% tariff to take effect. 

For the 90-day period, Mexico will continue to pay a 25% Fentanyl Tariff, 25% Tariff on Cars, and 50% Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum, and Copper. 

Goods qualifying for preferential treatment under USMCA will continue to be excluded and not subject to the IEEPA Mexico Tariffs. 

President Trump issued an Executive Order on July 31, 2025, which sets in motion the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on most countries which have not reached trade deals with the U.S.

The tariffs because effective for goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. Aug. 7^th. Except for goods that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit before 12:01 a.m. ET Aug. 7^th and entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, before 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 5, 2025.

Application of tariffs by individual country: Download PDF File

In accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Executive Order issued on July 30, 2025, the following guidance outlines new duties imposed on imports originating from Brazil. 

Effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on August 6, 2025, certain Brazilian-origin products entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption will be subject to an additional 40% duty, in addition to existing tariffs. This change will bring the total duty rate on most Brazilian imports to 50%. 

HTS Code 9903.01.77: 

All imports of products from Brazil, except those classified under 9903.01.78–9903.01.83, and personal-use goods included in accompanied baggage of persons arriving in the U.S., will be assessed an additional 40% duty. 

Additional duty of 40% in 9903.01.77 applies in addition to the IEEPA Reciprocal tariff in 9903.02.09 of 10%, including antidumping/countervailing, taxes, duties, and other charges. The additional duty provided in 9903.01.77 does not apply to products of Brazil subject to Section 232 duties. 

Exceptions include: 

• Goods in transit that were loaded onto vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 6 AND that are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption before 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 5, 2025.
• Goods provided under 50 U.S.C. 1702(b) such as:
  • Any postal, telegraphic, telephonic, or other personal communication
  • Donations of food, clothing, or medicine intended to relieve human suffering
  • Informational materials
  • Transactions incident to travel to or from any country, including importation in accompanied baggage for personal use
• Goods listed in Annex I
• Goods subject to Section 232 duties, including steel, aluminum, automobiles & parts, and copper