Trade Advisory Notices

Two new Presidential Proclamations under Section 232—one targeting processed critical minerals and the other focused on semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment—will be published on January 20, 2026, bringing significant implications for U.S. manufacturers and import‑reliant industries. Proclamation 11001 highlights national security vulnerabilities tied to U.S. dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals. It launches a 180‑day negotiation period for new supply‑chain agreements and enables future tariffs, import price floors, quotas, or other trade remedies if agreements are unsuccessful. Importers should anticipate increased origin scrutiny and potential cost volatility across industries dependent on batteries, magnets, catalysts, and advanced materials. Proclamation 11002 immediately imposes a 25% tariff (effective January 15, 2026) on select advanced chips and semiconductor‑related products not contributing to U.S. supply‑chain development. Key provisions include no drawback, privileged foreign status for FTZ entries, and limited end‑use exemptions. Commerce also outlines a two‑phase strategy that could expand tariffs or drive new international agreements. Importers should move quickly to review HTS classifications, evaluate tariff exposure, reinforce supplier documentation, and monitor forthcoming CBP and Commerce guidance. Trade Consulting and Customs Brokerage teams stand ready to support classification reviews, tariff mitigation strategies, and compliance planning as Section 232 actions evolve.

On January 17, 2026, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new tariffs on several European nations—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—in retaliation for their opposition to U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland. The proposal calls for a 10% tariff beginning February 1, escalating to 25% on June 1, and remaining in place until a “complete and total purchase of Greenland” is agreed. No formal Executive Order, Federal Register notice, or CBP implementation guidance has been issued, meaning these tariffs are not yet enforceable. All information is based solely on public statements and verified media reporting. Crane Worldwide continues to monitor official sources in real time, including the White House, USTR, OFAC, Treasury, and CBP. The dispute has triggered strong reactions across the EU and NATO, with European leaders condemning the tariff threats and convening an emergency summit to coordinate a response. The eight affected nations issued a joint statement rejecting tariff‑based pressure and affirming support for Greenland’s sovereignty. If enacted, the tariffs would affect all goods from the targeted countries, significantly impacting industries including automotive, machinery, pharmaceuticals, metals, chemicals, and consumer goods. Importers should begin evaluating HTS classifications, assessing sourcing alternatives, modeling landed cost impacts at both 10% and 25%, and preparing for potential EU retaliation. Crane Worldwide’s Trade Consulting and Customs Brokerage teams are ready to support clients with tariff modeling, compliance readiness, classification review, operational planning, real‑time entry support, and immediate regulatory monitoring once official directives are released.

Canada's Fighting Against Forced Labor and Child Labor in Supply Chains Act, effective January 1, 2024, imposes mandatory reporting obligations on businesses and government institutions. Organizations producing or importing goods into Canada must disclose measures taken to prevent and reduce the risk of forced or child labor in their supply chains.

On January 14, 2026, the White House issued a Section 232 Proclamation targeting vulnerabilities in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. The action establishes a 25% tariff on select advanced high‑performance AI chips—including NVIDIA’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X—due to heavy reliance on foreign imports and related national security risks. The tariff includes exemptions for imports that directly support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing expansion. The administration also signaled that broader semiconductor‑related duties and a potential tariff‑offset incentive program may follow. The Section 232 findings highlight insufficient domestic production capacity for chips and key manufacturing equipment, creating strategic dependencies that affect defense, critical infrastructure, and AI innovation. Companies importing advanced computing chips should prepare for immediate cost impacts, evaluate country‑of‑origin exposure, revisit supply chain strategies, and assess whether current imports qualify for exemptions. With the possibility of additional tariffs on semiconductor components and downstream products, organizations are encouraged to conduct tariff exposure assessments, model cost scenarios, explore mitigation options, and monitor ongoing U.S. trade and export control developments.

On January 13, 2026, President Trump announced via Truth Social that any country conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on trade with the U.S. However, no formal executive order or regulatory notice has been issued, leaving enforcement and scope unclear. Without official definitions or mechanisms, companies face significant compliance uncertainty and potential legal risk. Until formal guidance is published, businesses should maintain operations while preparing for rapid response strategies. Contact our Trade Consulting team for tailored exposure analysis and compliance planning.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require all refund payments to be processed electronically through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, starting February 6, 2026. This transition, initiated to comply with federal electronic funds transfer standards, will discontinue nearly all paper Treasury checks in favor of secure, expedited electronic refunds. To support this change, CBP has enhanced the ACE Secure Data Portal and introduced automated tools for ACH refund authorization and importer application updates. Importers and designated third parties must enroll in ACH to avoid delays. Electronic payments will arrive within one to two business days, compared to three or more days for mailed checks. CBP will help stakeholders prepare for the new process through informational calls in January and February 2026. Description: Beginning February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require all refunds to be issued electronically through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, eliminating nearly all paper Treasury checks except in limited waiver-based cases. This regulatory change, published on January 2, 2026, aligns CBP’s payment practices with federal electronic funds transfer requirements and is detailed in the Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule. To facilitate compliance, CBP has enhanced the ACE Secure Data Portal, including the deployment of automated ACH Refund Authorization tools and updates to the importer account application process. Importers and designated third parties must ensure ACH enrollment in ACE to avoid refund delays. The transition offers faster, safer, and more cost-effective refund processing, with payments typically deposited within one to two business days. CBP will support the trade community through informational calls in January and February 2026, as announced via the Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS).

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Commerce have implemented tariff modifications under the U.S.–Switzerland–Liechtenstein Framework Agreement. These changes are outlined in Federal Register Notice FRN 2025 23316 and apply retroactively to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse on or after November 14, 2025.

Effective December 26, 2025, the Government of Canada is imposing 25 per cent tariffs on the full value of the steel derivative products listed below from all countries.

Mexico has approved a comprehensive tariff reform under code CD LXVI II 1P 082, amending the Tariff of the General Import and Export Tax Law (LIGIE/TIGIE). The reform enters into force on January 1, 2026, and raises MFN/BASE duties on a broad set of goods from countries without a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mexico.

Tariffs imposed on China, Canada and Mexico, learn more about the tariffs and the retaliation effect here.