AI at the Helm: Navigating the Shifts in U.S. Trade Policy

U.S. trade policy has become a storm of unpredictability, leaving customs brokers scrambling to stay on top of ever-changing tariffs and rules. This has put global supply chain operators on their heels, trying to react, remain compliant, and keep freight moving.

Historically, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency offered long lead times and clear guidance when implementing new regulations, allowing stakeholders to prepare and adapt. But recently, that pattern has shifted drastically. Instead of months or even weeks of preparation, new rules and changes are getting announced, often with just days of notice, and in some cases, rescinded after brief implementation periods. The result is chaos.

The impacts are immediate and far-reaching. The constant barrage of updates — such as tariff changes, new de minimis rules, and complex HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) associations — has pushed customs workloads to the breaking point. 

Since January 20, 2025, a number of critical rulings have been issued, underlining the pace of change in U.S. trade policy. In just the first 30 days, new rules include:

• Reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose tariffs or non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods

• 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports

• 10% tariffs on Chinese imports

• 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico

• Suspension of the De Minimis exemption for Chinese imports

• Reciprocal tariffs targeting the Europea…