The Port of Los Angeles does not expect a near-term cargo surge following temporary tariff reductions on Chinese goods as other ports are likely to “scoop up” Chinese shipments while prices remain high, the port’s director said on Monday.
May 19, 2025
World Trade Online
The president is not considering exemptions to his “reciprocal” tariffs despite suggestions from other administration officials that he is, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has told the Senate Finance Committee.
China’s Ministry of Commerce on Monday blasted guidance the Bureau of Industry and Security provided to U.S. businesses last week warning them against using certain semiconductors made by Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, claiming that the move undermined the understanding U.S. and Chinese officials reached in Geneva earlier this month.
The Justice Department is arguing that few of the states suing over International Economic Emergency Powers Act tariffs have shown the direct “harm” needed to justify a court order blocking collection of the duties, while also seeking to shore up its broader legal defense of the policy ahead of a May 21 hearing in the Court of International Trade.
Eight Democratic senators have called on the administration to investigate reports that it is using negotiations with other countries, including some involving trade, to obtain benefits for presidential adviser Elon Musk’s satellite internet service.
In addition to raising costs and creating economic uncertainty, the Trump administration’s tariffs – particularly the so-called “reciprocal” duties announced and paused last month – are undermining U.S. national security interests by weakening relationships with allies and potentially violating treaty terms in pursuit of unclear goals, three senior Democrats argued this week.