The Trump Administration ’ s early actions on trade policy largely reflect the ‘ America First ’ agenda candidate Trump promoted during the 2016 campaign. For example, a March Executive Order initiated efforts to identify and potentially take action targeting countries that significantly contribute to the US trade deficit and two subsequent Executive Orders call for the review of current trade agreements for possible abuses and for the establishment of a White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, which is tasked with defending and serving American workers and domestic manufacturers. In addition, higher antidumping duty rates, more antidumping and countervailing duty cases, and other, less frequently used, trade remedies recently were initiated and could be considered in the future – but might face court and other challenges. It also is likely that President Trump's preference for bilateral over multinational trade agreements will affect ongoing and future negotiations and renegotiations pertaining to such agreements. Companies relying on imports should monitor these developments and consider their potential impact on supply chain issues. At the same time, companies, including, in particular, those adversely affected by imports, should become engaged as the Trump Administration develops its trade policy.
Global Trade and Customs Journal