Two Minutes in Trade

The U.S. adds Japan to the list of countries with which it now has agreements on critical minerals. With the agreement, the U.S. continues to lay the groundwork for developing investment, financial, and trade tools to wrest control of the critical minerals and rare earths mining, processing, and manufacturing industry from Chinese domination.

CBP has issued its most comprehensive ruling to date on the legal limitations of AI as it relates to customs business. While consistent with prior decisions, it's got the trade community re-evaluating their automated data flows.

A rare case of Congressional creativity for tariff relief designed to spur manufacturing. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

ITAC applications are now being accepted. A great way to help shape international trade policy. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for more info. 

The U.S.–Ecuador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade is the first agreement signed since the IEEPA tariffs were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, what is it about and what does it mean for the future of such agreements with the U.S.?

Another section 301 investigation - on 86 countries!  If they don't have or enforce laws prohibiting imports made with forced labor, tariffs!  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

CBP has announced its new ACE functionality, the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries or "CAPE", to streamline IEEPA tariff refunds. When will it be ready, and what capabilities can we expect?

Wasting no time. USTR launches a Section 301 investigation on the EU + 15 other countries for "overproduction" and "excess capacity". Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

TMIT Clause 8 of Article 1 in the Constitution is calling!  It wants its tariff authority back. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade.   

Non-resident importers of record need to rethink that status. A new bill will limit NIRs requiring resident status. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

IEEPA tariff refunds are coming…but in ACE years. So, how long is that?  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Within just weeks of the President's imposition of a 10% global tariff under Sec. 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, two dozen states have filed suit challenging the lawfulness of the tariffs at the U.S. Court of International Trade.  For more information, listen to Today's Two Minutes in Trade.  

One step forward on IEEPA refunds, or at least we know which direction we are headed, but ultimately likely leading back to the Courts. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Déjà vu with a mandate: USTR's muscular 2026 trade agenda doubles down on more to come. Listen for more info on Two Minutes in Trade. 

From PNTR to Column 2 duty rates. A new ITC study examines the impact of- with Congress eyeing additional duty collections for appropriations. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for more info. 

Go directly to CIT! Do not pass go! The CAFC remanded the IEEPA case to the CIT, not even waiting for the Supreme Court to return the case. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Are section 122 tariffs just in search of justification? IMF dents the balance of payment argument. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The USTR says 301 investigations on various topics will begin within days. These country-specific tariffs, along with the 232 product-specific tariffs, are meant to provide "continuity" for the IEEPA level tariffs. We discuss what investigations might be forthcoming and the longer path that could lead to new tariffs.  

After the IEEPA tariffs fall, who decides the refund process? The Courts? Or Congress? Listen to Two Minutes In Trade for more info

#TMIT Tariff whiplash! IEEPA's out but Section 122 in at 10%. Or wait is it 15%? Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade.  

In a monumental 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump Administration's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), making clear that, in the eyes of the majority, regulating trade and taxing it are not the same thing and that nothing in IEEPA's text, structure, or history shows that Congress intended to quietly hand over unlimited tariff power to the Executive Branch.  

The CPSC recently posted to its website a list of about 600 HTSUS numbers that it believes are likely to include products for which certificate of compliance information will have to be submitted electronically beginning July 8.

The U.S. government has issued a "Maritime Action Plan", calling for new fees on imported goods via land or sea. These actions are aligned with Congressional efforts to raise revenue for updating port infrastructure and revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry.  

The CBP Base Metals Center just revised its guidance to address the treatment of U.S. metals. Still, importers must carefully consider whether their goods qualify for U.S. origin to potentially avoid Section 232 and IEEPA tariffs altogether.

On February 9, 2026, the US and Bangladesh issued a Joint Statement regarding a new bilateral trade framework agreement. The new agreement will provide additional market access for US products entering Bangladesh. It also lays the groundwork for a zero reciprocal rate on Bangladeshi textile and apparel products entering the U.S., subject to the condition that they contain U.S. inputs.

Congress rediscovers the Emergency break with a vote that matters on IEEPA tariffs - but just not yet. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Put America First and preserve the first sale. A new bill would put America last by using the last sale for imports. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for more info. 

Trade by leverage: at what cost did Bangladesh buy a 1% tariff cut?  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

It was a Friday Night Special!  Several Presidential actions impacting trade. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade.

The U.S. ended the extra "Russian oil" tariffs on India, moved to reduce or remove several reciprocal and Section 232 tariffs, and launched six months of talks on broader market‑access issues alongside India's stated plans to expand purchases of U.S. goods and lower its own duties.  For more information, listen to Two Minutes in Trade.  

Canada plans to be at the Geopolitical table, not on it. Listen for more info on Two Minutes in Trade. 

It is never too early to prepare for HTSUS changes coming in 2028. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

No more paper trails!  Customs refunds go full electronic this Friday!  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

CAFTA-ish, because one trade deal wasn't enough - Guatemala and El Salvador sign tariff agreements. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Is the U.S. embarking on just a review, or an all-out renegotiation of the USMCA? And might we see the single trilateral arrangement morph into two distinct agreements between the U.S. and its neighbors?

When "content" gets contentious. New lawsuit in CIT over CBP's valuation practice for 232 steel and aluminum. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Build here? Not at these prices. Many investors backing off US plans due to tariffs. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The FMC is getting involved in a possible supply chain squeeze investigation. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The deep freeze in Washington, D.C., is both the weather and politics. We could see some agencies' funding lapse. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

CBP's newly updated ACE deployment schedule outlines numerous upcoming system enhancements—many still without firm dates—amid ongoing, rapid‑fire trade policy changes and increasing urgency around electronic refund capabilities ahead of potential 2026 tariff rulings.  For more information, listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade.  

CBP's Forced Labor portal debuts, and you're already behind. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for more. 

Wax on. Wax off. Keeping a balanced approach to tariffs threatened by social posts. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

DOT is seeking input on contributors to supply chain bottlenecks. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

When I don't follow the rules, it's a problem but when the government doesn't follow the rules, it's still my problem. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

232 tariffs on semiconductors and critical minerals were released; some details on a Taiwan agreement and a new export licensing policy were also announced. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for more. 

The Congressional Cabaret is in full swing as money, money, money talks continue. Will a shutdown be averted? Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for more. 

2026 is the dawning of the Age of Enforcement. Listen for more details on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Licensed customs brokers who received their licenses prior to 2024 have until January 31, 2027, the end of the current triennial period, to complete 20 continuing education (CE) credits. This update reminds brokers of this requirement and discusses proper recordkeeping.

New Tariffs were put in place on January 1, so Happy New 2026 Tariffs! These tariffs that had been announced all the way back by the Biden administration and cover batteries, facemasks, and medical gloves from China under Section 301.  

On the last day of 2025, the administration issued a proclamation delaying for another year the increase in tariffs on certain upholstered products, kitchen cabinets, and vanities. For more information, listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade.