Imports did not vanish, but their growth rate was flat at zero percent in February compared to January after nearly two months of importers rushing in orders ahead of tariffs. February goods and services imports were $401 billion, a statistically insignificant change from January, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said.
The Trump administration is not backing down from its America First trade agenda, and Congress has granted the executive branch the authority to use emergency powers to impose tariffs in support of that agenda, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing on Tuesday.
On April 2, President Donald Trump took bold and historic action to defend American industry with the announcement of sweeping new tariffs aimed at countering unfair foreign trade practices and reigniting U.S. manufacturing. Dubbed “Liberation Day”, this policy marks the first major step in a new era of economic revitalization—one where the United States refuses to accept the systematic dismantling of its industrial base and begins to chart a path back to true production-led prosperity.
The NTE report specifically identifies significant barriers and illicit trade practices, particularly involving China, impacting the solar, automotive, and steel industries, underscoring the urgent need for robust U.S. enforcement to address transshipment and tariff evasion.
CPA’s new Trade Issues and Tariff Recommendation Tracker highlights specific tariff recommendations that will produce near-term wins.
In a comment letter submitted to USTR in response to the Section 301 investigation, CPA highlighted China’s extensive use of state-driven subsidies and unfair trade practices, urging immediate implementation of targeted measures to support the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
CPA cautions against adopting a reciprocal tariff strategy aimed primarily at negotiating lower foreign trade barriers and more favorable investment conditions abroad. A reciprocal tariff strategy that prioritizes foreign governments’ willingness to reduce their trade barriers or be more receptive to foreign investment is in conflict with the stated goals of the America First Trade Policy Memorandum and undermines the predictability and stability American businesses need to confidently invest in long-term domestic production.
It’s a straight line up. The goods and services deficit kicked off January by rising a record 34% over December. Importers are front running tariffs and getting in their orders before everything changes, likely at some point after April 1.
It took nine months to rescue two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station this weekend, yet somehow President Trump is expected to rewrite global trade rules between the U.S. and 166 World Trade Organization-member countries in less than two months.
CPA’s report demonstrates that previous tariff exemptions and exclusions significantly weakened the effectiveness of the original tariffs imposed in 2018.
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