In 2025, Trump Reelected to the White House: New Tariff Policies and Customs Procedures Will Reshape U.S. Trade.

In early 2025, after Donald Trump returned to the White House, he quickly pushed for policy changes that significantly impacted American education and trade. The Trump administration cracked down on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and reformed the student loan system. On April 2, it announced a 10% tariff on imported goods, excluding those from Canada and Mexico, and imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency strengthened enforcement, posing challenges for e-commerce. Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), goods that meet the standards can still be traded duty-free.
Key Updates
04/15 12:50
In 2025, Trump Reelected to the White House: New Tariff Policies and Customs Procedures Will Reshape U.S. Trade.
In early 2025, after Donald Trump returned to the White House, he quickly pushed for policy changes that significantly impacted American education and trade. The Trump administration cracked down on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and reformed the student loan system. On April 2, it announced a 10% tariff on imported goods, excluding those from Canada and Mexico, and imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency strengthened enforcement, posing challenges for e-commerce. Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), goods that meet the standards can still be traded duty-free.
Dramatic Changes in Higher Education Policy
Within the first 85 days of the Trump administration, the administration has significantly impacted the U.S. higher education system. According to Inside Higher Ed, the government has begun to crack down on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and has deported several hundred international students. These actions align closely with the policy recommendations of the conservative think tank "Project 2025," which was once considered radical but now serves as a blueprint for policy implementation.
The Trump administration plans to further reform the student loan system over the next three years, revoke consumer protection regulations from the Biden era, and seek congressional support to close the Department of Education. Although Project 2025 suggests transferring the student loan program to the Treasury Department, Trump intends to move it to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Additionally, the government is re-evaluating which employers qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and is preparing to amend regulations related to federal student aid programs.
Restructuring and Implementation Details of Tariff Policy
On April 2, 2025, the Trump administration announced a comprehensive tariff policy, imposing a 10% uniform tariff on all imported goods, excluding those from Canada, Mexico, and China, effective April 5. This policy marks a significant shift in U.S. trade policy and is accompanied by a reciprocal tariff strategy against China, the EU, and other trade partners.
According to Yahoo Finance, the Trump administration has imposed tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese imports, to which China has responded with retaliatory tariffs of 125%. Although Trump initially announced exemptions for consumer electronics like smartphones and semiconductors, he later retracted the decision, causing market confusion. According to estimates from Yale University's Budget Lab, the effective U.S. tariff rate has risen from 22.5% in early April to 27%.
Additionally, Trump stated that tariffs on auto parts would be delayed, giving manufacturers "some time" to switch to U.S.-made parts. Nonetheless, he insists on implementing a new round of tariffs on the pharmaceutical and chip industries, emphasizing "no exceptions."
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Enforcement and Adjustments
In March 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processed over 3 million import declarations, valued at more than $352 billion, and identified nearly $15 billion in tariffs owed. CBP also completed 71 audits, uncovering $310 million in owed taxes and successfully recovering $49 million.
CBP emphasized that its enforcement actions are fully based on presidential directives and federal law, working with other government agencies to promote the so-called "Liberation Day" policy. This policy involves tariff collection on small packages and specific goods, and strengthens the review and classification of imported goods.
In terms of border inspections, CBP processes about 1 million entrants daily and retains the authority to inspect luggage and electronic devices. CBP clarified that the inspection rate for electronic devices remains below 0.01% and has not increased due to the change in administration.
Challenges in E-commerce and Logistics
The new tariff policy has a direct impact on the e-commerce industry. According to Yahoo News, the Trump administration has eliminated the "de minimis" tax exemption threshold for goods from China and Hong Kong, meaning even low-cost items are subject to tariffs. This poses challenges for brands and platforms relying on cross-border small package shipping, forcing companies to rethink pricing, fulfillment, and logistics strategies.
The professional website TrumpTradeTracker.com provides real-time policy updates and compliance advice to help businesses navigate the rapidly changing trade environment. According to Passport analysis, brands that fail to adjust in time will face shrinking profits and declining customer experience.
Implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
Under the USMCA framework, goods that meet the agreement's requirements can still be traded tariff-free between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, for goods that do not meet the agreement's requirements, the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff, while energy and potash will maintain a 10% rate. This policy continues the Trump administration's principle of differential treatment in North American trade.
References
- How Trump’s Early Actions Compare to Project 2025
- CBP releases March 2025 monthly update
- Trump tariffs live updates: Chips and pharma probes , hints at possible auto exemptions
- Trump, Tariffs, And Trade Turmoil
- How Trump's 2025 tariffs impact e-commerce: What brands need to know and next steps to stay ahead
- Trump’s trade war with China is ‘the end of the era of expanding globalization.’ But it could leave the U.S. worse off because of a major imbalance in key imports
- Media Releases