Pause on High Reciprocal Tariffs Except for China Who Faces Higher Tariffs
President Trump announced a pause on reciprocal tariffs for the 60 countries with specific higher rates that were to start on April 9, that he announced last week. The general rate of 10% for all countries remains in place since April 4, including the countries that were to be increased. The exception to this will be the assessment on products of China (including products of Hong Kong and Macau). Many countries have already approached this Administration to offer to negotiate changes in trade policies, including countries that have only 10% assessed. President Trump has stated that each country will have its own program negotiated with the U.S. that will also deal with non-tariff barriers to U.S. trade that countries might have. The announced pause went into effect this morning, April 10 at 12:01 A.M. All goods except products will be subject to 10%, except products from China (including Hong Kong and Macau). Instructions from CBP were issued in CSMS message # 64701128 that can be found at: http://www.carmnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Customs-CSMS-64701128.pdf
There are also changes to the reciprocal tariffs with China. Their response to the reciprocal tariffs was to increase tariffs on American products to 84%. President Trump has now assessed reciprocal tariffs on China’s products of 125%. This will be added on top of the existing 20% fentanyl tariffs for a total assessment of IEEPA tariffs for China, Hong Kong, and Macau products of 145%. This increase also went into effect this morning.