Executive Orders Calling for Tariffs Explained

Updated April 3, 2025

instruments impacted by tariffs

April 15, 2025

As of April 14, 2025, President Trump implemented a range of tariffs targeting specific countries, sectors, and trade practices, with the understanding that any of the following may change at any time. NAMM CEO John Mlynczak issued an updated statement which says, in part, "The negative effects of these measures threaten the economic and cultural impact of U.S.-made musical instruments and accessories, as well as cause our U.S. music products industry to lose its global competitive advantage in producing high-quality products, especially at professional and entry levels." Read the full statement. 

Join NAMM's Trade Working Group

NAMM's informal trade working group meets monthly, and invites trade experts to address the latest on tariffs, EUDR, GPSR, CITES and the Lacey Act and other regulatory issues.

Country-Specific Tariffs

  • China: A 145-percent tariff is in effect, though some electronics are exempt from the full rate. These still face a 20-percent levy related to fentanyl.
  • Canada: Tariffs are active with exemptions—25 percent on non-energy goods and 10 percent on energy and potash.
  • Mexico: A 25-percent tariff is in place, also with exemptions. 
    Note: Exemptions for Canada and Mexico are tied to compliance with the USMCA and do not apply to sector-specific tariffs.
  • Universal Tariff: A 10-percent tariff applies to all imports except those from Canada, Mexico, and China.

Reciprocal Tariffs
These tariffs, intended to counter perceived unfair trade practices, are currently paused for 90 days from April 9 until July 9. They range from 11 percent to 50 percent, depending on the country or trading bloc. Some electronics are exempt.

Sector Specific Tariffs

  • Automobiles: A 25-percent tariff applies to finished cars and, starting May 3, to most car parts—though parts from Canada and Mexico may be exempt. 
  • Steel and Aluminum: Tariffs of 25 percent are currently in effect.
  • Semiconductors & Pharmaceuticals: Both sectors face potential tariffs of 25 percent. Not currently in effect.
  • Timber, Lumber, and Derivatives: Under investigation; no rate announced. Not currently in effect.
  • Copper and Critical Minerals: Also under investigation, with copper being the initial focus. Not currently in effect.

Additional Measures
Countries purchasing oil from Venezuela may face an additional 25-percent tariff, on top of existing duties. And the EU announced that reciprocal tariffs on many products from the U.S. would also be subject to the 90-day pause to leave time for negotiation with the U.S.

April 11, 2025 

China's President Xi Jinping announced that the 84-percent reciprocal tariffs on American products would be increased to 125 percent. This announcement came the day after the White House made its clarifying pronouncement that it would levy a 145-percent tariff on goods imported from China. China's retaliatory tariffs are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 12.

The White House further clarified that products considered non-compliant under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) are not subject to the 90-day pause announced on April 10. In other words, goods not covered under the USMCA are still subject to a 25-percent tariff—except for energy and potash, which are taxed at 10 percent. 

April 10, 2025

On April 10, the White House clarified that the 125-percent tariff announced on April 9 by Executive Order for products imported from China is in addition to the existing 20-percent tariff, for a total of a 145-percent tariff on all products from China effective immediately. In response, China announced 84-percent reciprocal tariffs on American products. 

In addition, the 10-percent reciprocal tariffs announced on April 2 have been paused for 90 days, until 12:01 am on July 9, with the EU pausing its planned reciprocal tariffs on American imports during the same time period. 

What NAMM Members Can Do

April 3, 2025

On April 2, President Trump issued an Executive Order announcing reciprocal tariffs on more than 100 countries that are trading partners with the United States, and 10-percent tariffs on any other country.  The rationale from the Trump administration is that these reciprocal tariffs are meant to create fairer trade conditions by matching or countering the tariffs that other nations apply to U.S. goods. NAMM, along with the Peterson International Institute of Economics, the National Retail Federation, the Consumer Technology Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, all maintain that these tariffs will negatively impact U.S. manufacturing and will not achieve the stated goal of encouraging equal trading rules and preventing one country from having an unfair advantage.  

NAMM has issued an updated statement on behalf of the music products industry.  

Key Points About the New Tariffs

  • Beginning April 5, all imports into the U.S. will face a minimum 10-percent tariff.  
  • Certain countries will have higher rates based on ad valorem duty, which is a type of tax on imports that is based on the value of the goods rather than a fixed amount. It is usually charged as a percentage of the item's price. For example, a 10-percent ad valorem duty on a product worth $100 would mean an extra $10 tax.
  • Higher tariffs on imports from many countries: Chinese imports will now be charged a 34-percent tariff, on top of the earlier 20-percent tariff and 2018 tariffs. Products from the European Union will have a 20-percent tariff, products from Japan a 24-percent tariff and products from India 26 percent. Read the full list from the Executive Order.  
  • New auto tariffs went into effect at 12:01 am on April 3 on foreign-made cars, which face a 25-percent tariff. Beginning May 3, the tariff will also apply to imported auto parts.  
  • Canada and Mexico are not part of the reciprocal tariff system, but they will still face 25-percent tariffs on most goods that are not USMCA compliant. If the Administration certifies that progress has been made on fentanyl, the rate will drop to 12 percent.
  • The end of de minimis exemption for products imported from China and Hong Kong valued at $800 or less to go into effect at 12:01 am on May 2.
  • The White House warned nations not to retaliate with their own tariffs, suggesting it could lead to further consequences.
  • The U.S. government said it will not negotiate nor lower these tariffs, even if allies offer to reduce their own trade barriers against American products.

What NAMM Members Can Do

  • Share actual and expected impact of tariffs with Members of Congress using the National Retail Federation's campaign tool.
  • Reach out to your Member of Congress to let them know how tariffs will impact your business. Find your representatives.
  • Join NAMM’s  informal trade working group featuring guest speakers who will share information and updates on the third Friday of each month.
  • Track data on the actual impact of tariffs over time so that you are ready to contribute to the local, state and national picture. Presenting lawmakers with the actual impact on U.S. businesses may have more of an impact when requesting exemptions.
  • Watch NAMM’s Update on Tariffs webinar from Thursday, February 6, 2025, for background on where we are now.

Additional Background on Enacted Tariffs

National Trade Estimate Details Foreign Trade Barriers

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) submitted the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to President Trump and Congress on March 31. The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers, which influenced Trump’s reciprocal tariffs plan.  

About Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962

Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 grants the U.S. president the authority to investigate and take action on imports that may pose a threat to national security. This section enables the president to impose tariffs or other trade restrictions based on findings from investigations conducted by the Department of Commerce. The provision is designed to protect the domestic economy and industries critical to national defense by regulating foreign competition when necessary.

What Is the IEEPA?

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) grants the president the authority to respond to any "unusual and extraordinary" external threats to the U.S. national security, foreign policy or economy following a declaration of national emergency under the National Emergencies Act (NEA). Upon making such a declaration, the president can impose sanctions, freeze assets and regulate or prohibit the importation of property that involves foreign countries or nationals.

Presidents may utilize IEEPA to establish export controls, embargoes and sanctions against countries and individuals and block imports from specified nations and transactions involving particular foreign nationals. The terms "unusual and extraordinary threat" and "national emergency" are not defined in either IEEPA or NEA, which provides the president with significant freedom in determining what constitutes a national emergency and the appropriate measures to take in response to it.

By invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, President Trump was able to cite the “extraordinary threats” to national security posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.

Tariff Timeline

March 4: Tariffs on products from Canada, China and Mexico enacted.

March 6: President Trump suspended March 4 tariffs, allowing many products traded under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to avoid the 25-percent tariffs.  

March 12: Implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs.

April 1: NAMM submits comments to Federal Register on behalf of U.S. manufacturers requesting exemptions for imported tonewoods.

April 2: Reciprocal tariffs enacted.

April 3: 25-percent tariff enacted on foreign made cars.

April 5: 10-percent base tariffs go into effect.  

April 9: 145-percent tariffs on products from China announced and 10-percent reciprocal tariffs on products on all other countries paused until July 9 at 12:01 am.

May 2: End of de minimis exemption on products imported from China and Hong Kong that cost $800 or less.

May 3: Tariff on auto parts goes into effect.

July 9: 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs expires.

Resources

Trade Compliance Resource 

The White House Fact Sheet on Tariffs 

The White House Fact Sheet on End of De Minimis for China and Hong Kong 

The WSJ Trump Tracker 

March 12, 2025

On March 12th, the U.S. implemented 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. During the last two presidential administrations, the U.S. administered 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports, with country and product specific exemptions. Those exemptions have ended and the aluminum tariff has risen to 25 percent. Additional tariffs are expected to be imposed on April 2, 2025.

March 6, 2025

Two days after implementing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, President Trump suspended some duties, allowing products traded under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to avoid the 25 percent tariffs until April 2. This decision effectively paused tariffs imposed on approximately half of imports from Mexico and around 38 percent of imports from Canada. The White House posted a Fact Sheet about the delay, which went into effect at 12:01 am on March 7, meaning the reprieve is not retroactive. NAMM is working to determine which musical products or categories might be included as part of the current pause under USMCA compliance.     

March 4, 2025

President Donald Trump confirmed through executive orders that as of 12:01 am Eastern Time on March 4, 2025, a 25-percent tariff would be levied on all products imported from Canada and Mexico, with no exceptions. Also, an additional 10-percent tariff will apply to products imported from China, for a total increase of 20 percent. The products from these three nations account for more than 40 percent of U.S. imports.  

An additional 25-percent tariff on aluminum and steel is expected to go into effect on March 12. As the largest supplier of aluminum and steel, Canadian imports would be particularly impacted, as this duty is in addition to the universal 25-percent tariffs enacted on March 4.

China quickly announced plans to levy 15-percent retaliatory tariffs on food and other products imported from the U.S., while Canada announced a 25-percent tariff on unspecified products imported from the United States. Mexico has announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on March 9. 

De Minimis Exemption Remains in Place for Now

The de minimis exemption, which enables U.S. imports valued at less than $800 to bypass additional duties, will continue temporarily on products from Canada and Mexico until adequate systems for efficient tariff revenue processing and collection are established for eligible imports. The exemption will be terminated once the Commerce Secretary informs President Trump that these conditions have been fulfilled.

February 24, 2024

The implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs is scheduled for March 12; however, there remain uncertainties regarding the inclusion of derivative products and the methodology for determining the percentage of steel and aluminum in these products. The tariffs on Canada and Mexico are facing a deadline set to expire on March 4 deciding whether they will be implemented or if the pause will be extended. While there have been discussions behind the scenes, the future of these tariffs remains ambiguous. Following a recent call, President Trump stated that the tariffs will proceed, but further delays could still occur. Additionally, there are ongoing threats related to autos, lumber and other categories. Furthermore, there has been a renewed focus on 301 investigations concerning Digital Services Taxes, with plans to reassess previous cases and include more countries. Lastly, a memo issued earlier today addresses 301 remedies regarding ships built in China, which could have significant repercussions.

February 10, 2025

On Monday, February 10, President Trump signed two executive orders and announced an increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, setting them at a uniform rate of 25 percent with no exceptions or exemptions. The increase is significant, as the previous rate was 10 percent. The executive orders also abolish any country-specific exemptions, quota agreements and numerous product-specific tariff exclusions for both metals. According to a White House official, these measures are set to be implemented on March 12.

The directives were enacted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to modify imports, including the imposition of tariffs, if deemed a threat to national security.

February 7, 2025

NAMM recorded a webinar on February 6 to provide an update on tariffs, with special attention dedicated to explaining the suspension of the de minimis exemption on products imported from China that cost less than $800. On February 7, President Trump suspended the executive orders revoking the de minimis exception for imports from China until there is infrastructure in place to enforce them. Once there is an enforcement mechanism, which includes a method for the ability to collect tariffs, we expect the orders to cancel the $800 de minimis exception will go back into effect.

February 4, 2025

On Tuesday, China responded to the implementation of U.S. tariffs on its goods by imposing retaliatory tariffs on certain American imports and launching an antitrust investigation into Google. This action came after President Trump’s increase in tariffs levied on Chinese products went into effect on February 4.

China's Ministry of Finance revealed new measures, including a 15-percent tariff on liquefied natural gas and coal. Additionally, a 10-percent tariff will be applied to crude oil, pickup trucks, agricultural equipment and vehicles with large engines. In addition, China's Ministry of Commerce announced it will implement export restrictions on key elements such as tellurium, bismuth, tungsten, indium and molybdenum.

February 3, 2025

On February 1, President Trump issued three executive orders backed by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) in order to levy tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. Though initially slated to take effect on February 4, 2025, last-minute negotiations led to a 30-day delay (from February 3) in implementation of tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada.

The delay resulted from ongoing discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. President Trump announced the pause in tariffs via a Truth Social post, with the President stating that the countries had agreed to new measures to address fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.

The 10-percent increase in tariffs on products from China, however, will go into effect on February 4 as planned. President Trump announced that he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping sometime this week and stated, “China hopefully is going to stop sending us fentanyl, and if they're not, the tariffs are going to go substantially higher.”

NAMM CEO John Mlynczak issued the following statement on behalf of the global music products industry, which reads, in part, "We call for universal exemptions from punitive tariffs for all musical products and accessories that are used by musicians worldwide."

The developments and actions so far represent a temporary reprieve from a potential full-blown trade war, though the underlying tensions remain. The 30-day suspension on Mexican and Canadian tariffs provides an opportunity for diplomatic resolution, but the ultimate outcome remains uncertain and depends on the ability of the involved nations to reach mutually acceptable agreements on trade, immigration and drug control.

What Is Included in the Executive Orders

The White House issued a fact sheet detailing the tariffs, which were to be imposed in addition to existing tariffs and included provisions for escalation in the event of retaliatory measures from affected countries. Canada, Mexico and China immediately voiced plans for countermeasures. Of note:

  • There are currently no exemptions and no process for requesting exemptions.
  • President Trump has indicated he will levy additional tariffs if there are retaliatory tariffs.
  • The de minimis exemption on products that cost less than $800 and drawbacks have been suspended.

The Federal Register notice hasn't been posted yet, so enforcement agencies lack guidance for how to deal with carve outs for products loaded on trucks before the executive orders were issued.

 Resources

NAMM is committed to strict compliance with the antitrust laws and its obligations under our settlement agreement with the FTC. To this end, NAMM has put in place an Antitrust Policy governing all activity during NAMM-sponsored events. NAMM’s Antitrust Policy covers all participants, including speakers, exhibitors and audience members at NAMM Events. Full details are available on NAMM’s Anti-Trust Compliance Webpage