Trade is changing fast: CBP rules have tightened, new global tariffs took effect on August 7, and tensions between the U.S. and key trade partners are rising.

Some agreements remain uncertain, and others may not be as finalized as they seem (more on this ahead).

In this edition, get the latest on:

Trade partners now have “less say” on CBP rules.

By September 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will shut down all subcommittees under the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC). For years, COAC has been a key channel where trade partners could directly share feedback and question CBP’s policies.

This aligns with what was announced at the 2025 CBP Trade and Cargo Security Summit, where officials confirmed that the agency will step back from policy development to focus more on enforcement. This leaves trade partners with limited input as regulations tighten under the America First Trade Policy.

Without COAC, it may become more difficult for trade partners to raise concerns or provide direct input on regulatory issues and keep up with changing enforcement rules. This means the trade community should start exploring alternative channels for engaging with CBP and other government agencies.

📈 New Global Tariffs Starting August 7

President Trump issued new orders to apply tariffs from 15% to 41% on imports beginning August 7, 2025. Japan, Europe, South Korea, and some Southeast Asian countries secured lower rates. Canada’s tariff rises from 25% to 35%, Mexico stays at 25%, and Taiwan has a temporary 20% tariff while talks continue.

Learn more ➡️ Trump's Sweeping New Tariffs Take Effect

📦 Duty-Free Exemption Ends; Causes Postal Issues
Starting July 1, 2027, the U.S. will end the duty-free de minimis exemption for shipments under $800, making all low-value imports subject to tariffs and customs duties. This change has caused postal challenges, including a temporary USPS suspension of parcels from China and Hong Kong.

Learn more ➡️ U.S. To End Diminimis Exemption for Low-value Shipments

⚠️ New Custom User Fees
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced an increase in the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), which takes effect October 1, 2025. The minimum MPF will rise from $32.71 to $33.58, and the maximum MPF will increase from $634.62 to $651.50. The ad valorem rate remains unchanged at 0.3464%

Learn more ➡️ CBP Adjusts Customs User Fees for FY 2026

🤝 Major EU-US Trade Memo Announced
The 2025 EU-US trade memo sets a 15% tariff limit on most EU goods sent to the U.S., replacing planned 30% tariffs. The EU pledges $750 billion in U.S. energy purchases and $600 billion investments by 2029. Steel and aluminum tariffs remain at 50%.

Learn more ➡️ Trump Announces Trade Memo with EU

In 2025, global trade imbalances widened. The U.S. ran a larger deficit while China and the EU saw bigger surpluses. Bilateral gaps grew, especially between the US and China and the EU and Vietnam.

Could these imbalances increase the risk of protectionist trade and tariff measures? Will firms shift from cutting costs to building more resilient supply chains, and what would that mean for prices and investment? We’ll find out in the months ahead!

Done Deal? Not Quite!

President Trump recently celebrated a new trade deal with Japan, calling it a big win. However, Japan’s chief trade negotiator, Ryōsei Akazawa, has made it clear that there are no plans to sign a legally binding agreement at this moment.

Know Your Supply Chain Before You Import

Build a complete list of every supplier, broker, and customer involved in moving your goods, including direct and indirect partners.

Review and update this list regularly, and double-check each company against denied party and sanctions lists before every shipment. It protects you from violations while helping you avoid forced labor risks, understand your landed costs, and stay compliant.

Remember that one firm that ended up with a $20 million penalty for unknowingly shipping to banned parties? Don’t let that be you!

Hugo Pakula, CEO and trade compliance expert, breaks down the impact of ending the de minimis exemption, plus key questions to track in the weeks ahead.

“Is the US government going to ever get tired of having this new revenue as part of the P&L? $150bn collected in 6 months, with a projected 10-30% increase coming on August 1? I'm not so sure they'll ever disappear.”

Read the full post on LinkedIn.