Trump proclamation directs Section 232 negotiations on robotics and industrial machinery imports

President Trump issued a proclamation concurring with the Commerce Secretary's Section 232 finding that imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and their parts and components threaten to impair national security, and directing the Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue or continue negotiations of agreements with trading partners to address the threat. The proclamation imposes no tariffs, duties, quotas or fees; it states the President may consider alternative remedies in the future, including imposing or modifying tariffs, duties, quotas and fees, depending on the status or outcome of the negotiations. The Secretary and the Trade Representative must provide an update on the negotiations within 180 days of the proclamation's date.

Adjusting Imports of Wind Turbines and Their Parts and Components Into the United States

President issues Defense Production Act determination on domestic petroleum production, refining and logistics capacity

The President issued a presidential determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on domestic petroleum production, refining and logistics capacity. The determination's text, scope and any effective date are not available in the published material.

Audi to invest $4B in first U.S. assembly plant in Georgia

Audi, Volkswagen Group's luxury brand, announced it will invest $4 billion in its first U.S. factory, at the Middle Georgia Mega Site in Peach County near Macon, Georgia, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and the first U.S.-built vehicles produced in the early 2030s. The plant will assemble premium SUVs for North America with annual capacity of up to 200,000 vehicles and is expected to create around 4,500 jobs. Audi said the plant will reduce its exposure to trade and currency risks, such as the 15% tariff on European auto imports to the U.S.

BNEF raises U.S. energy storage deployment forecast by 30% despite trade barriers

BloombergNEF said in its semiannual energy storage outlook that the United States will deploy 30% more energy storage capacity over the next 10 years than it forecast six months ago, reaching cumulative deployments of 213.9 GW by 2030 and 434.4 GW by 2036. BNEF puts the combined duty on stationary storage batteries imported from mainland China at 40.9%, and cites import restrictions on foreign-made power conversion systems and recent broad limits on imports of bulk power system equipment among the trade barriers.

USTR proposes extending pause on Section 301 China-linked vessel fees to January 9, 2027

USTR is proposing to extend its suspension of Section 301 fees on China-linked vessels until January 9, 2027, according to an October 23 Federal Register filing; the suspension is currently set to lift on November 9. The filing says the proposed extension would allow for further negotiation with China regarding the acts, policies and practices at issue in the investigation. Public comments are due October 30. USTR previously announced fees ranging from $18 per ton to $120 per container, with an up-to-three-year exemption for vessel owners who ordered a new U.S.-built vessel.

Intertek CEA forecasts 15% to 30% decline in U.S. energy storage prices by 2030 as trade barriers and 45X rules reshape supply

Intertek CEA's ESS Price Forecasting Report (Q3 – 2026) projects U.S. DC block prices will decline roughly 15% to 30% by 2030, while import markets could see reductions exceeding 40% as Chinese manufacturers shift from standard prismatic cells to larger formats. The companion ESS Supply, Technology, and Policy Report (Q3 – 2026) cites supply concentration in China, delayed U.S. factory timelines and evolving tax incentives, with about 11% of announced 2026 U.S. production capacity at risk of slipping into 2027.

USTR requests comments on further suspension of Section 301 action on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors

USTR has published a Federal Register request for comments on further suspension of the Section 301 action on China's targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. The notice text was not available; the document does not state the scope of the suspension, the rate or the effective date.

Trump orders trade talks, not tariffs, after Section 232 wind turbine probe

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation following a Section 232 investigation into wind turbine imports, launched by the Commerce Department in August 2025, directing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to open or continue talks with trading partners and report progress within 180 days. The order imposes no new tariffs on wind turbines or their components, and existing duties on steel, copper and aluminum content are unaffected. Trump said he would consider alternative remedies based on the results of the negotiations.

Trump proclamation adjusts Section 338 50% tariffs on Canada imports, effective October 30

A proclamation President Donald Trump signed Friday changes the list of Canada goods covered by the 50% Section 338 tariffs, effective October 30: plywood, certain industrial machinery, and select packaging and paper materials come off the list, while cocoa powder, carpets and air conditioners are added. Trump invoked Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930 in August after negotiations with Canada broke down, and the proclamation says senior executive branch officials advised that the change would still offset the alleged discrimination while serving the public interest.

Trump proclamation modifies scope of 50% Section 338 duties on certain Canadian motor vehicle products

President Trump issued a proclamation modifying the scope of the 50% additional ad valorem duties imposed under Proclamation 11048, as amended, on certain products of Canada: products listed in Annex I, Part A are no longer subject to the duty, and products listed in Annex I, Part B become subject to it, effective for goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on October 30, 2026. The duties apply in addition to duties imposed under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and the HTSUS is modified as provided in Annex II on the same effective date.

Trump orders trade talks, not new tariffs, after Section 232 wind turbine probe

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation following a Section 232 investigation, launched by the Commerce Department in August 2025, into imports of wind turbines and their components, directing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to open or continue negotiations with trading partners and report on progress within 180 days. The proclamation states the U.S. is reliant on wind turbine and part imports and that foreign-made turbines and parts present unique cybersecurity risks, citing inverters in particular.

T1 Energy announces Commerce waiver to import up to 1.725 GW of solar cells ahead of Section 232 tariffs

T1 Energy, a Texas-based module maker, announced it received a Department of Commerce waiver allowing it to import up to 1.725 GW of solar cells for its module assembly operations in Wilmer, Texas, without penalty for stockpiling under the Section 232 tariffs that take effect December 4, 2026, when polysilicon and silicon-based solar products become subject to a 15% tariff alongside minimum import prices. Ahead of that date, Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security issued an emergency rule setting criteria for evidence of stockpiling, import prohibition penalties for noncompliance and a process for companies to obtain a waiver.

Trump proclamation directs Section 232 negotiations on wind turbine imports

President Trump issued a proclamation finding that imports of wind turbines and their components and subcomponents threaten to impair U.S. national security under section 232, and directing the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to jointly pursue or continue negotiations of agreements with foreign trading partners to address the threat. The Secretary and the Trade Representative must provide at least one update on the negotiations within 180 days of the proclamation.

Helen of Troy plans to direct $80.5 million in tariff refunds to inventory and packaging

Helen of Troy, owner of Hydro Flask, Osprey and Drybar, said on an October 8 earnings call that it plans to spend part of a projected $80.5 million in tariff refunds this fiscal year on cleaning up its inventory and redesigning packaging to comply with U.S. and foreign environmental laws. The company recognized $26.9 million of the expected refund in the quarter ended August 31 and expects the remainder by the end of FY2027, ending February 28, 2027. The refunds follow the Supreme Court's February ruling that invalidated tariffs the Trump administration imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

CBP suspends de minimis exemption for mail shipments and sets new postal informal entry process

CBP issued a notice on the indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption for mail shipments and a new postal informal entry process, with a delayed compliance extension. The notice's text was not available beyond its title, so the effective date, the HTS codes affected and the terms of the compliance extension are not stated here.

CBP publishes Quota Bulletin 26-232 for 2026 Further Ensuring Affordable Beef Tranche 3

CBP states in CSMS # 70240656 that Quota Bulletin 26-232 covers beef under HTSUS Chapter 2 subheadings addressed in Additional U.S. Note 3 and in the Presidential Proclamation and Annex "Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer" published on August 26. Tranche 3 runs from October 31, 2026 to November 30, 2026, with an opening date of Monday, November 2, 2026; Tranche 1 (September 1–September 30, 2026) and Tranche 2 (October 1–October 30, 2026) have expired.

Trump order implements Graham Act, raising Russia tariffs 500% but waiving all Graham Act duties

President Trump issued an executive order implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, increasing the rate of duty on goods from the Russian Federation by 500 percent ad valorem and by 100 percent ad valorem on goods from the largest 5 importers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas that knowingly make new purchases on or after October 18, 2026, and on goods from the top 5 facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion.

FMC proposes $200,000 per-voyage fee on Spanish-flagged vessels and restrictions on certain Spanish imports

The Federal Maritime Commission is proposing a $200,000 per-voyage fee on Spanish-flagged vessels and restrictions on imports of certain Spanish goods, according to an Oct. 14 press release. Imports facing possible restriction include perfumery and cosmetics, oils and fats, ceramics, articles of stone, and sugar and confectionaries; the FMC is still considering whether to broadly limit, target, or limit only certain of those categories. The proposal follows an FMC investigation initiated in 2024 that found Spain denied U.S.-flagged vessels, including two Maersk vessels operating under the Maritime Security Program, access to its ports. Public comment ends Dec. 14, and Spain will be given an opportunity for a hearing.

BIS issues guidance to CBP on assessing U.S. content under Proclamation 11032 clause (2)(D)

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security published guidance to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on assessing "U.S. content" for purposes of implementing tariffs under Clause (2)(D) of Proclamation 11032 of June 1, 2026. The document is a Federal Register notice; the available text does not state the products, countries, rates or an effective date.

Levi's to spend three-quarters of $80M tariff refund on supply chain and marketing

Levi Strauss & Co. recorded roughly $80 million in tariff refunds last quarter and plans to spend three-quarters of the returned funds on supply chain improvements and other areas of the business, EVP and chief financial and growth officer Harmit Singh said on an Oct. 7 earnings call. A third of the $60 million will go to distribution and logistics, with the rest split equally between marketing and promotional activities, and a small portion went toward inventory clearance ahead of the holidays.

BD reaches supply chain pact with Trump administration for relief from future Section 232 tariffs

BD said it has struck a partnership with the Trump administration under which it will invest $19 billion in U.S. manufacturing over several years, including $3 billion to expand strategic production sites and increase annual U.S. output by about 5 billion essential medical consumables, in exchange for relief from any future Section 232 tariffs on BD products, subject to undisclosed milestones. BD also agreed to make all of its needles used in the U.S. with American-made steel. BD said it would not yet quantify the financial impact because final tariff rates and products were not determined, and it expects to provide more information when the Section 232 tariffs are finalized.

White House publishes Federal Register notice on emergency tax relief on diesel fuel

The Executive Office of the President published a Federal Register presidential document titled "Emergency Tax Relief on Diesel Fuel." The available text does not state the rate, the products or HTS codes covered, the countries affected, or an effective date.

CIT certifies importer class in IEEPA tariff refund suit

The U.S. Court of International Trade certified a class of importers who paid tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act between Feb. 1, 2025, and Feb. 19, 2026, excluding those who filed separate lawsuits, in a slip order issued Thursday. The court set an Oct. 22 deadline for proposed scheduling of additional filings and a closed conference for Oct. 13, and said certification is intended to lead to liquidation or reliquidation of entries and refunds to importers of record.

pv magazine roundup: sodium-ion specs, California plug-in solar law and U.S. solar manufacturing financing

pv magazine USA's weekly roundup reports that the U.S. energy storage market is developing its own sodium-ion specification amid federal domestic content policies, FEOC sourcing rules and UL 9540A testing, and that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 868, allowing portable solar devices to connect through a receptacle. It also reports that the New York Public Service Commission approved a two-year meter socket adapter pilot, that more than 70% of announced U.S. solar manufacturing expansion plans are not yet financed, and that a Wood Mackenzie report finds four-hour storage cheaper than open-cycle gas in 43 modeled markets while tariffs threaten near-term U.S. gains.

USTR continues Section 301 actions on China technology transfer, IP and innovation

USTR published a Federal Register notice titled "Continuation of Actions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation," continuing the Section 301 actions in that investigation. The notice text was not available; the Federal Register page returned only an automated-access notice, so the document does not state which products, HTS codes, rates or effective dates are covered.

USTR issues conforming amendment to a Section 301 product exclusion for China

USTR published a notice of conforming amendment to a product exclusion in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The notice text was not available; the Federal Register page returned an automated-access notice, so the excluded products, HTS codes, rates and effective date are not stated here.

Commerce decides duty-free entry applications for scientific instruments

Commerce's International Trade Administration issued a notice of decision on applications for duty-free entry of scientific instruments covering 43 listed instruments, including electron probe microanalyzers, transmission electron microscopes, NMR spectrometers, lasers and radar systems, for applicants such as the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, the University of Illinois, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Washington, Battelle Memorial Institute and Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC. The notice lists each application under its case number, from 25-067 through 26-114, and identifies the instrument and applicant for each. The notice does not state duty rates, effective dates or the outcome for individual applications.

Costco CFO doubles down on tariff strategy, winks at churro comeback

China Surtax Order (2024) – Steel and Aluminum

United States Surtax Order (2025-1)

White House publishes Federal Register document on super intelligence

MOFCOM says Brazil beef safeguard trigger reached; 55% additional tariff from October 1

U.S.-China Board of Trade proposes reduced tariffs on non-sensitive goods

The U.S.-China Board of Trade has recommended reduced tariff treatment for non-sensitive goods covering roughly $30 billion in imports for each country, the Trump Administration announced. USTR Jamieson Greer said the arrangement covers about 30 percent of U.S. exports to China, including agricultural products and medical devices, and U.S. imports of household goods, toys and other products generally not imported from other countries. The White House documentation did not specify reduction amounts or an implementation date, and the terms of reference state future duty reductions will be determined and implemented in accordance with each side's domestic legal processes.

White House releases U.S.-China "30-for-30" lists of products recommended for reduced tariff treatment

The White House released on September 27, 2026, "30-FOR-30" lists of U.S. products for import into China and Chinese products for import into the United States that the two countries will consider for reduced tariff treatment on a reciprocal basis, consistent with their respective domestic laws and processes. The release does not name the products, HTS codes, rates or an effective date.

BIS issues temporary final rule on polysilicon stockpiling under Proclamation 11052

BIS issued a temporary final rule, effective September 22, 2026 through December 3, 2026, setting the criteria and process it will use to monitor existing companies for evidence of stockpiling polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives ahead of import adjustments effective December 4, 2026 under Proclamation 11052. The rule limits a newly established importer's ability to stockpile, imposes import limitations on new importers that register with CBP on or after August 6, 2026, and subjects companies found to be stockpiling to an import prohibition if necessary. It also establishes the process for such companies to obtain a waiver from any import prohibitions imposed under the rule.

USTR sets FY 2027 tariff-rate quota allocations for raw cane sugar

USTR is providing notice of the allocations of the Fiscal Year 2027 in-quota quantities of the tariff-rate quota for imported raw cane sugar, covering October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The changes made by the notice are applicable as of September 23, 2026. The notice does not state the allocated quantities or the countries receiving them.

BIS defines zero-tariff specialty pharmaceuticals and eligible jurisdictions under Proclamation 11020

BIS issued a notice defining the pharmaceutical products and listing the jurisdictions eligible for a zero ad valorem Section 232 tariff rate under Proclamation 11020 of April 2, 2026, covering orphan-indication drugs and associated ingredients, nuclear medicines, plasma derived therapies, fertility drugs, cell therapy products, gene therapy products, antibody drug conjugates, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear medical countermeasures, and animal health. Products and associated ingredients receive the zero rate if they are of a jurisdiction with a current or forthcoming trade and security framework agreement or meet an urgent U.S. health need.

President directs removal of Canadian origin items from federal civil procurement

A presidential memorandum of September 16, 2026 directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Trade Representative, in coordination with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, to identify and take all steps permitted by law to remove or make non-available Canadian origin items in the Federal civil procurement system where warranted. The memorandum cites Canada's "Buy Canadian" preferences and provincial limits on U.S. companies, and says Canadian companies have preferential access to U.S. procurement covered under the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, which it states amounts to over $280 billion annually.

Canada's Department of Finance highlights $30-million LETL loan to Conifex Timber Inc.

Canada's Department of Finance states that Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne highlighted a $30-million loan to Conifex Timber Inc. through the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility, announced September 18, 2026 in Mackenzie, British Columbia. The funding is intended to help the forest products company adapt to current conditions and support its workers. The department says recent improvements to the LETL program include greater liquidity support and longer repayment terms. Conifex operates a sawmill and bioenergy plant in Mackenzie, British Columbia, supports 260 direct jobs and exports most of its products to the United States.