Trade Advisory: U.S. Announces Immediate 25% Tariff on Countries Trading with Iran.

President Trump posted on Truth Social that “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive.”

However, no formal executive order, USTR proclamation, or regulatory notice has yet been published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Trade Representative's filings, or any other official source. The tariff is not reflected in any current trade-tracker databases, creating a significant implementation gray area, notably around when the tariff takes effect, which business activities or entities fall under its scope, and which enforcement mechanisms will apply.

Why This Matters: No Official Guidance

• Enforcement Ambiguity: U.S. Customs and Border Protection cannot act on a Truth Social post alone; formal notices are required to impose, collect, or penalize tariffs.
• Undefined Scope: Without legal definitions, terms like “doing business with Iran” remain vague, raising compliance uncertainty for everyone in the supply chain, from manufacturers to logistics providers.
• Cost & Legal Risk: Companies are unable to effectively map exposure or advise boards until a regulatory framework defines the tariff’s reach, and retroactive liabilities remain a concern.

Until an authorized legal instrument is issued, we recommend clients maintain operational continuity while preparing for rapid response. Once guidance appears (via executive order or Commerce/USTR notice), we'll pivot to targeted risk mapping, compliance tracking, and scenario modeling.
 

Are you in need of a tailored exposure analysis or preparatory compliance workflows? Get in touch with our Trade Consulting team via the Crane Worldwide Tariff Response Unit.