Taxes, Tariffs & Trade

NAFEM informs and represents its members on the complex issues of U.S. taxes, tariffs, and trade, advocating for open and fair policies and rules that maximize market opportunities and cost-effective supply chain sourcing. 

Tariff resources 

While NAFEM regularly updates this resource page, we recommend regular communication with your customs broker for up-to-the-minute tariff information relative to your business and its products.  

Understanding the U.S. Tariff Landscape 

Updated March 11, 2026

Supreme Court strikes down IEEPA tariffs: Administration enacts 10% surcharge 

A 10% temporary surcharge on global imports is in effect until July 24, following the U.S. Supreme Court 6-3 decision that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize reciprocal tariffs. The White House announcement includes exceptions “because of the needs of the U.S. economy” in Annexes I and II. Subsequent presidential proclamations called for determining whether modifications are needed to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and for the continued suspension of duty-free de minimis for all countries.  

Also, the Court of International Trade ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) to immediately stop collecting and begin refunding IEEPA tariffs. In a subsequent court filing, CBP reported that it needs until the end of April to comply with the order, as it addresses $166 billon collected, involves more than 330,000 importers and 53 million entries. Members should discuss details with their customs brokers.  

The president has not signed a directive to increase the tariffs from 10% to 15%. Reportedly, the White House is looking into how to raise the rate while still honoring existing trade agreements. The administration also is considering legal strategies to retain the revenue collected from invalidated IEEPA tariffs, while Democratic lawmakers in both chambers introduced tariff refund bills. 

The ruling did not address Section 232 or 301 tariffs. NAFEM will continue to update this Taxes, Tariffs and Trade webpage with the latest. 

Section 301 tariffs upheld by Federal Circuit Court 

In a unanimous Sept. 2025 opinion, the three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that the first Trump administration was within its rights to expand the initial Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods from $50 billion to $300 billion. The case was appealed to the SCOTUS, which elected not to hear the case.  

Canada’s Response

• The Government of Canada maintains a list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs.

China Trade and Economic Deal

• White House Fact Sheet

U.S. – EU Trade Agreement

• EU announcement re: the U.S.-EU Framework Deal
• Key provisions of the Agreement are provided by the Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users (CAMMU).

The U.S. – U.K. Economic Prosperity Deal

• The May 8, 2025 Agreement addresses steel and aluminum tariffs and numerous other trade-related topics.

Additional U.S. Investigations

• The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is investigating revoking permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) treatment for all Chinese imports. The review will assess how higher tariffs would affect U.S. trade flows, domestic production and prices in the most directly impacted industries. The ITC also is evaluating an alternative approach that would revoke PNTR only for a defined set of national security-related products from China, with tariffs phased in over five years. Comments are due April 13.  
• The U.S. Secretary of Commerce initiated a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act to assess whether imports of robotics and industrial machinery, and parts/components, pose a risk to national security. The scope of the investigation includes CNC machining centers, turning and milling machines, grinding and deburring equipment, and industrial stamping and pressing machines. It also includes automatic tool changers, jigs and fixtures, and machine tools for cutting, welding and handling work pieces. Application-specific specialty metalworking equipment used to treat, form or cut metal, such as autoclaves and industrial ovens, metal finishing and treatment equipment, EDM machinery, and laser and water-cutting tools and machinery also is included. Comments were due Oct. 17, 2025.  
• Following a Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting dominance in the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, the U.S. Trade Representative proposed significant service fees on China-bult vessels upon entrance to U.S. ports. Following negotiations with China, these fees were suspended for one year until Nov. 10, 2026. NAFEM, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and 100+ others advocated against the proposal that would increase shipping costs, raise prices and decrease exports and imports.  
• The administration also launched a Section 232 investigation into Brazil’s trade policies. Comments were due August 18, 2025 and the U.S. Trade Representative held a hearing Sept. 3, 2025.

Global Market Access and Conformity Guide

NAFEM’s regularly updated resource to assist in the identification of international certifications, the Global Market Access and Conformity Guide provides certification contact information for fuel type, region and other data points to reduce research time. While this tool is updated periodically, we encourage companies to take all steps necessary to confirm and verify information for your specific products and market needs.

Additional Resources

• White House Website
• U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Questions?

Contact advocacy@nafem.org