The global trade environment continues to change at breakneck speed, creating both challenges and new opportunities for U.S. manufacturers and distributors. This week’s sweeping changes—from new country-specific tariff rates and extended negotiation deadlines to landmark trade agreements—mark a pivotal moment. For businesses prepared to quickly adapt, these shifts present endless opportunities.
This week's highlights:
Plus: Why agility is mission-critical, and how Veryable provides the tools to pivot in days, not weeks.
On Thursday, President Trump issued an executive order imposing new tariff rates on nearly 70 countries, advancing his “America First” approach and triggering what his administration is calling the start of a “new system of trade.” The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 41%, are set to take effect in seven days, offering a brief window for final negotiations. Additionally, goods shipped before August 7th and arriving by October 5th will be exempt under a transitional provision.
The highest rates target countries such as Syria (41%), Myanmar and Laos (40%), Switzerland (39%), and Brazil (50% including previous tariffs). Key U.S. trading partners like Canada (35%), India (25%), and Taiwan (20%) also face steep duties. Meanwhile, countries that struck last-minute trade deals — including Japan (now 15%, down from 24%), Vietnam (20%, down from 46%), the EU, South Korea, and the UK — have secured more favorable terms. These differentiated outcomes reflect Trump's strategy of using tariffs as a negotiating tool to win concessions and rebalance trade relationships.
For a full list of the new country-specific tariff rates, check out our guide.
President Trump’s latest executive order also introduced a new 40% tariff on products deemed “transshipped” — goods routed through third countries to bypass existing U.S. tariffs, with China as the primary focus. This tariff takes effect August 7, though detailed rules defining what constitutes transshipment and how “rules of origin” will be enforced remain unclear.
This uncertainty poses challenges for key Southeast Asian suppliers like Vietnam and Thailand, who have shifted production from China to meet U.S. demand but still rely heavily on Chinese components. They are now awaiting further guidance on how local content requirements will be applied.
As the situation evolves, manufacturers and distributors must remain agile to effectively navigate these complexities and minimize operational disruption.
On Sunday, President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a major U.S.–EU trade agreement, establishing a new framework for transatlantic commerce and averting a broader trade war. Set to take effect August 1st, the deal introduces a 15% baseline tariff on most EU goods entering the U.S., significantly lower than the 30% originally threatened but still a sharp increase from the prior 4.8% average.
The agreement also includes a phased shift to tariff-rate quotas on metals, maintaining current 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper until new caps are established. Automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals will also be affected, with future tariff ceilings set at 15%. While full details are still being negotiated, both sides emphasize the deal offers immediate stability and predictability for businesses after months of escalating uncertainty.
The White House has framed the deal as a “historic rebalancing” of trade between the world’s two largest economies. It includes nonbinding European commitments to purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy products and $600 billion in investments across sectors like technology, infrastructure, and defense by 2029. However, the European Commission describes these as “intentions,” not guarantees, and implementation will largely depend on private sector decisions.
Despite criticism from some EU leaders who warn the deal could hurt European competitiveness, others acknowledged that a deal—however imperfect—was preferable to continued uncertainty or outright tariff escalation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French PM François Bayrou expressed concern about inflation and rising costs, while EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič called it “the best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances.”
For U.S. manufacturers and distributors, the agreement represents a substantial opportunity. The 15% tariff levels the playing field for domestic producers, making U.S. goods significantly more competitive at home. Meanwhile, the EU’s reduced tariffs and broader market access—combined with anticipated investments in energy, semiconductors, and infrastructure—signal new demand and growth channels for American industry. While implementation is ongoing, the U.S. industrial base is poised to benefit from greater capital inflows, expanded exports, and renewed confidence in the domestic supply chain.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced another preliminary trade agreement with South Korea, securing another major deal just days before his August 1st tariff deadline. Under the agreement, South Korean goods will face a 15% tariff — down from the 25% originally threatened — aligning with the tariff rates recently set for Japan and the European Union. In return, South Korea pledged a $350 billion investment in U.S.-controlled assets selected by Trump, along with a $100 billion commitment to purchase American energy products. Trump also claimed Seoul would “completely open” its markets to U.S. exports, including cars, trucks, and agricultural products.
The agreement follows months of tense negotiations, with sticking points around agriculture, digital regulation, and investment terms. For U.S. manufacturers and distributors, the outcome offers a major upside: the investment package, particularly in shipbuilding and semiconductors, is expected to revitalize key domestic industries and support long-term supply chain stability. The energy purchase commitment also further deepens bilateral ties and presents new opportunities for U.S. exporters.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed a Proclamation launching a new set of tariffs aimed at revitalizing the U.S. copper industry and addressing national security concerns. Effective August 1st, a 50% tariff applies to semi-finished copper products such as pipes, wires, rods, and copper-intensive components like cables, connectors, and electrical parts. However, raw copper input materials—including ores, concentrates, cathodes, and scrap—are excluded.
The move follows a Section 232 investigation that concluded foreign dependence on copper products threatens U.S. national and economic security. To strengthen domestic supply chains, the Proclamation requires that 25% of high-quality copper scrap and, starting in 2027, a growing share of copper inputs produced in the U.S. be sold domestically. These actions are designed to bolster domestic refining and manufacturing capacity.
Markets initially reacted with volatility, with U.S. copper futures dropping nearly 20%, but the finalized measures are widely seen as a major boost for American manufacturing. By targeting semi-finished and copper-intensive products, the policy gives a strategic edge to domestic producers. Overall this move is expected to spur new investment, expand production capacity, and create high-quality jobs across the U.S. industrial base.
On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order ending the de minimis exemption, which had allowed imported goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. Effective August 29, the order applies globally and marks a major shift for international e-commerce, especially for platforms like Shein and Temu that rely on low-value direct-to-consumer shipments. Originally meant to ease customs for personal imports, the rule became a key tool for foreign retailers to avoid tariffs and scrutiny.
The White House framed the move as part of Trump’s broader effort to combat unfair trade practices and the trafficking of synthetic opioids. For context, a fact sheet stated that 98% of narcotics seizures and 97% of intellectual property seizures in FY2024 were tied to de minimis shipments. Officials called the exemption a “catastrophic loophole” that allowed counterfeit and dangerous goods into the country, noting a surge in volume from 134 million shipments in 2015 to over 1.36 billion in 2024.
This order also builds on Trump’s earlier May policy blocking duty-free shipments from China and Hong Kong. Now, the crackdown applies globally, affecting low-cost exporters in Asia, Europe, and beyond. A six-month phase-in period will allow for a simplified duty system before full ad valorem tariffs are enforced. Trump also signed a law repealing the de minimis rule entirely by 2027, though this order speeds up that timeline.
After two days of high-level negotiations in Stockholm, U.S. and Chinese officials signaled progress toward extending the current tariff pause beyond the looming August 12 deadline, though no formal agreement has been reached. China’s top trade official, Li Chenggang, said both sides agreed to “work on” an extension following what he described as constructive and candid discussions. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that a potential 90-day extension was discussed, but emphasized that the final decision rests with President Trump, who has not yet made a final decision.
The talks, which took place behind closed doors at the Swedish prime minister’s office, also tackled broader concerns, including U.S. objections to China’s industrial overproduction, purchases of Iranian oil, and the export of dual-use technologies to Russia. Other issues on the table included U.S. restrictions on advanced tech exports, Chinese investment practices, and the flow of fentanyl-related chemicals into the U.S. from Chinese suppliers. While no date has been set, the talks are seen as laying groundwork for a potential Trump-Xi summit later this year, which could be crucial to finalizing any long-term trade framework. President Trump said via Truth Social that he was not seeking a summit but could consider a visit to China if invited.
For U.S. manufacturers and distributors, an extension of the current tariff pause would provide short-term relief from cost pressures, especially on key Chinese imports like rare earth elements, electronics, and industrial components. Many analysts believe the temporary truce will be extended to avoid disrupting markets, but warn that deep structural disagreements between the two countries could still derail progress in the months ahead.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day extension of the tariff deadline for Mexico, offering a temporary reprieve from higher import duties that were set to take effect on August 1st. The move preserves existing tariffs of 25% on automobiles and fentanyl-related products, as well as 50% on steel, aluminum, and copper, while giving both sides additional time to finalize a broader trade agreement. Trump cited the “complexities” of the U.S.-Mexico relationship — particularly those involving border issues — as justification for the delay, and described his latest call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as “very successful.” He also stated that Mexico had agreed to eliminate a variety of non-tariff trade barriers immediately, though specifics were not disclosed.
President Trump announced Wednesday that Indian imports will face a 25% tariff beginning August 1, citing India’s historically high tariffs, restrictive trade barriers, and continued purchases of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump says the move is necessary to correct America’s $45.7 billion trade deficit with India and ensure that U.S. producers are not disadvantaged by what he called “the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country.” The White House also hinted at an additional “penalty” tied to India’s Russia ties, though details have not yet been released.
For U.S. manufacturers and distributors, this latest shift could open significant growth opportunities. With Indian imports facing higher costs, American companies in industries like apparel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and processed goods are better positioned to win back domestic market share.
On Wednesday, President Trump imposed an additional 40% tariff on most Brazilian goods in response to what he called a "witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, while exempting key sectors such as aircraft, energy, and orange juice. Combined with the 10% reciprocal rate, Brazil's total tariff is now 50%. The White House linked the tariffs to Brazil’s prosecution of Bolsonaro, who faces charges related to allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. Despite some exemptions, many Brazilian exports, including beef and coffee, remain subject to the tariffs.
For U.S. manufacturers and distributors, these tariffs may present new opportunities to strengthen domestic supply chains and diversify sourcing. While certain Brazilian imports such as iron ore, steel, and wood pulp face higher tariffs, U.S. manufacturers could benefit from increased demand for locally produced materials and components, supporting economic growth and job creation.
In today’s rapidly evolving environment, operational agility is no longer optional—it’s critical. With shifting trade policies, fluctuating tariffs, and ongoing supply chain disruptions, manufacturers and distributors must be prepared to respond quickly or risk losing their competitive edge. Veryable provides a powerful solution by fundamentally changing how businesses manage labor.
Our on-demand labor platform empowers you to build a flexible, just-in-time workforce (Your labor pool) that scales seamlessly with your real-time needs. Unlike traditional staffing models that require long lead times, fixed headcounts, and lengthy hiring processes, Veryable lets you ramp labor up or down on a daily basis. This means you can respond immediately to changes in production volume, supply chain delays, or unexpected market shifts—without the delays or excess costs that come with traditional approaches.
In an environment where market conditions and trade policies can shift overnight, the ability to pivot quickly isn’t just a convenience—it’s a vital competitive advantage. Veryable equips your business with the operational resilience to thrive amid today’s uncertainty, turning potential disruption into opportunity and paving the road for sustained growth.
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For more information and insights, make sure to check out our U.S. Manufacturing Today Podcast. In this week’s episode, host Matt Horine breaks down how new trade policies, industrial incentives, and workforce reforms are driving a full-scale manufacturing revival—and why reindustrialization is now a national security imperative.
Available on: our website, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and PocketCasts.
For additional insights into the developments under Trump 2.0, visit our “Navigating Trump 2.0” page. There you'll find comprehensive information on recent and potential future changes, along with a collection of articles offering guidance for manufacturers and distributors on how to succeed in this rapidly evolving environment.
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