Tariffs threw a curveball—“What counts as transshipment?” Nobody’s sure, but penalties are real.

Meanwhile, Apple’s moving work home, tariffs are shifting, and trade routes are changing. 

In today’s episode:

Transshipment rule: we’ll know it when we see it.

The U.S. government recently introduced a 40% tariff penalty on goods that are routed through other countries, like Vietnam or Malaysia, to avoid higher tariffs on Chinese products.

However, while it’s illegal to mislabel a product’s true origin, the boundaries of “what counts as transshipment” are still unclear. Even minimal changes to goods might trigger the full 40% tariff, but clear guidelines are missing.

Pete Memento, a global customs and trade compliance expert, took it on his LinkedIn post: “How will they determine transshipment of goods? It isn’t really clear. I’m reminded of the old phrase ‘I’ll know it when I see it.’”

In response, many companies are doubling down on tracing where their goods really come from, spreading their sourcing across safer countries, and investing in better compliance systems.

Now, importers are left asking: Will the U.S. government provide detailed rules on how authorities define and enforce transshipment? Will they provide practical guidance for complex supply chains in Southeast Asia? Or will importers continue to scratch their heads in the next few months or years?

📈 New Reciprocal Duties Effective August 7

Starting August 7, 2025, the U.S. will apply updated reciprocal tariffs from 10% to 41%. For European Union goods, tariffs will be raised to at least 15% if their current rates are lower, with no change if already higher. Meanwhile, imports from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, are not affected.

Learn more ➡️ U.S Updates Reciprocal Tariff Rates

🤝 Canada and Mexico Plan Trade Route to Bypass U.S.
Canada and Mexico plan to sign an agreement in September to create a new trade corridor that bypasses the U.S. This corridor aims to reduce tariffs and increase trade between the two countries. The route is expected to be fully operational by 2028.

Learn more ➡️ Canada and Mexico Get Cosy with Trade Plan to Bypass U.S.

💥 100% Tariff on Imported Semiconductors
President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on imported semiconductors, exempting companies that have invested in U.S. manufacturing or are actively building facilities. Major chipmakers like Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung, with operations in the U.S., are exempt.

Learn more ➡️ Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Semiconductor Imports

⏳ U.S. Tariffs on China-Produced Goods Delayed for 90 More Days

The planned U.S. tariffs on goods produced in China have been delayed for an additional 90 days, extending the pause until November 10, 2025. This extension allows more time for ongoing trade negotiations aimed at resolving issues related to trade reciprocity and national security.

Learn more ➡️ U.S. Extends Pause on China Tariffs Another 90 Days

Apple is committing $600 billion over the next four years to manufacture key components such as chips, glass, and magnets right in the U.S. Roughly two-thirds of these U.S.-made components are exported globally, and one-third are shipped domestically, meaning importers and exporters will directly feel the impact.

Trade partners might want to consider: How can they connect with these new suppliers? What changes might their logistics require?

Watch out! Tariffs Change Faster Than Your Internet Loads!

Tariffs are going up fast and can catch you off guard. The best way to stay ahead is to know exactly when tariffs change for your products—day by day. Use tariff tracking tools like the GHY Tariff Tracker to get updates for each item you import.

This helps you spot big fee increases early, so you can talk to suppliers or find other sources before prices go up.

POV: Lost in trade talk and can’t find the way out. 😂😂😂

Hot Take on De minimis!

“Postal may look like it has a short‑term advantage, but it’s highly dependent on whether airline carriers accept the duty collection and remittance role — something they’ve resisted in past withdrawals. If not, postal routes could stall until a viable process exists.”

Starlinks Global, a provider of global delivery solutions for cross-border trade, breaks down the game-changing end of the U.S. de minimis. See full post on LinkedIn.