With 2025 shaping up to be one of the most turbulent years for tariff activity in recent memory, understanding what’s changed and how it affects your bottom line is essential.
From sweeping surcharges on steel and autos to country-specific retaliatory moves, the global trade environment has shifted fast.
At ITC Diligence International, we help importers navigate trade volatility with clarity and strategy by providing international trade advisory services.
Let’s walk through the major tariff actions of 2025 so far, what they target, and how businesses are adjusting in response.
March 12 – Steel & Aluminum (25%)
Tariff: 25% on steel and aluminum imports from all countries, replacing exemptions and raising aluminum from 10% to 25%
Goods: Broad range of steel/aluminum products
Impact: U.S. manufacturing costs rose by ~$50 billion annually; Canada and EU quickly retaliated
April 3 – Autos & Auto Parts (25%)
Tariff: 25% on cars; auto parts followed in early May
Goods: Imported vehicles and parts (Mexico/Canada excluded if USMCA-compliant)
Impact: Automotive supply chains shifted, with manufacturers accelerating sourcing diversification
ated
April 5 – Universal Import Tariff (10%)
Tariff: 10% baseline tariff on nearly all imports, using IEEPA authority
Goods: Applies to 60+ countries; Canada and Mexico exempt
Impact: Added complexity to sourcing strategies, increasing landed costs and triggering market uncertainty
April 9 – Reciprocal Tariffs (11–50%)
Tariff: Country-specific surcharges atop universal tariff, reaching up to 50%
Status: Paused for 90 days (except China) to allow negotiations
Impact: Heightened unpredictability in global trading partners
June 4 – Steel & Aluminum Double to 50%
Tariff: Increased from 25% to 50% on all steel and aluminum imports
Goods: Re-applied to entire steel/aluminum categories
Impact: Added ~$50 billion on top of prior tariffs; global metals markets experienced major turbulence
What’s Next: Section 232 Investigations Underway
Several new Section 232 investigations are currently in motion and could lead to additional duties later this year:
- Timber / Lumber
- Pharmaceuticals
- Semiconductors
- Copper
- Furniture
These investigations are examining whether imports in these industries threaten U.S. national security or economic stability, criteria often used to justify emergency tariffs. Importers in these sectors should begin assessing potential exposure now.eihether imports in these industries threatentional security or economic stability, criteria often used to justify emergency tariffs. Importers in these sectors should begin assessing potential exposure now.
What It Means for Business
Several new Section 232 investigations are currently in motion and could lead to additional duties later this year:
- Higher costs, more disruption: From steel and auto to everyday imports, tariffs have reshaped pricing and sourcing.
- Supply chain realignments: Companies are shifting supply networks, exploring nearshoring, and segmenting production.
- Strategic tools matter: Tools like FTZs, tariff engineering, and country-of-origin planning are no longer optional; they're essential
Want a toolkit for dealing with this tariff uncertainty?
ITC Diligence International offers international trade advisory services from tariff exposure analysis to FTZ integration and import strategy optimization.
ITC Diligence International : Votre partenaire de confiance en matière de commerce mondial et de solutions de conformité
Chez ITC Diligence International, nous sommes spécialisés dans l'aide aux entreprises pour rationaliser les opérations mondiales, naviguer en toute confiance dans les réglementations commerciales complexes et libérer tout le potentiel des zones de commerce extérieur. En tant que consultants en commerce international avec plus de deux décennies d'expérience, notre équipe d'experts fournit des solutions sur mesure en matière de mise en place de FTZ, de solutions de sous-opérateurs, de courtage en douane, d'optimisation de la chaîne d'approvisionnement, d'assurance du fret et d'entreposage sous douane.
En combinant une expertise réglementaire approfondie avec une approche axée sur le client, nous permettons aux entreprises de réaliser des économies et de maintenir la conformité tout en restant compétitives sur les marchés mondiaux d'aujourd'hui.
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