Tariffs in Flux: Transatlantic Reset, AD/CVD Surge, and Maritime Fees
NEWSLETTER | Trade Insight AI
Tariff Realignments Ahead: U.S.-EU Metals Pact Advances, China Expands Africa Access
STR Trade Report • February 19, 2026
The U.S. signaled openness to revising steel and aluminum tariffs amid concerns over company compliance burdens, while the European Parliament backed a U.S. trade pact that mandates a six‑month review if Washington hasn’t reduced duties on EU steel‑containing goods to a 15% baseline from the current 50%. Separately, China will grant zero‑tariff access to 53 African nations starting May 1, expanding beyond LDC coverage to nearly all African economies that recognize Beijing. Companies should prepare for possible recalibration in transatlantic metals tariffs and reassess sourcing and market strategies under China’s expanded preferences.
Strategic Tariff Shifts & Market Access
White House Maritime Plan Proposes Import Fees, Land Port Tax, U.S. Fleet
STR Trade Report •February 19, 2026
A new 42-page White House maritime action plan aims to boost U.S. shipbuilding and reduce reliance on foreign carriers, proposing a weight-based infrastructure/security fee on foreign-built vessels calling at U.S. ports and a land port maintenance tax equal to the 0.125% Harbor Maintenance Tax to deter diversion through Canada and Mexico. The plan also pursues reciprocal trade arrangements that tie market access to joint industrial development and would create a U.S.-built Strategic Commercial Fleet; as capacity grows, high-volume exporting economies would be required to ship a rising share of U.S.-bound containers on qualifying U.S. vessels. While these are recommendations requiring further action, adoption could raise landed costs, alter routing decisions, and reshape carrier selection for importers.
USTR Signals New U.S.–Indonesia Trade Deal; Details Forthcoming
USTR Press Releases •February 19, 2026
USTR Ambassador Greer issued a statement following President Trump’s announcement of a trade deal with Indonesia, signaling an intent to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties. While terms were not released, companies should monitor for potential shifts in market access, tariff treatment, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation that could affect Southeast Asia supply chains.
U.S. sets 2026 duty-free apparel caps for Haiti, Sub-Saharan Africa
STR Trade Report •February 19, 2026
CITA established 2026 quantitative limits for duty-free apparel under Haiti’s CBERA value-added program and AGOA for Sub-Saharan Africa. Haiti’s cap is 267,063,493 square meter equivalents (SME) for entries from Feb. 3–Dec. 19, 2026; AGOA’s aggregate cap is 1,046,888,893 SME for Feb. 3–Sept. 30, 2026, including 523,444,446 SME under the LDC special rule. Shipments above these thresholds will face normal tariffs, so importers should monitor fill rates and time entries accordingly.
Trade Groups Seek Transparent, Predictable Overhaul of Section 232 Tariffs
STR Trade Report •February 18, 2026
On Feb. 10, more than two dozen industry groups urged BIS to revamp Section 232 processes to improve transparency, consultation, targeting, and compliance. Citing the Trump administration’s expanded use since January 2025—12 new investigations, new inclusion mechanisms, and higher tariffs often stacked with others—they warn of rising regulatory burdens and uncertainty for importers and brokers. The groups propose clearer, public inclusion procedures, restoration of product exclusions (including for de minimis steel/aluminum content), reasonable lead times with in-transit relief, defined national security criteria, and simplified documentation.
U.S. Farm and Industry Leaders Back U.S.-Taiwan Trade Agreement
USTR Press Releases •February 17, 2026
USTR highlights broad endorsements from U.S. farmers, ranchers, and business associations for a U.S.-Taiwan trade deal, signaling expectations for stronger agricultural export opportunities and clearer, more predictable rules. While full terms were not provided here, the supportive response points to potential improvements in market access and supply-chain cooperation, warranting close monitoring for implementation details.
Enforcement & Classification Actions
U.S. AD/CVD Roundup: Steep Anode Duties, New Citric Probes
STR Trade Report •February 18, 2026
Commerce issued final affirmative AD and CVD determinations on active anode material from China, with dumping margins of 93.50% and 102.72% and net subsidy rates of 66.82% and 66.86%. The ITC delivered final affirmative injury determinations for CVD on paper file folders from Cambodia; AD/CVD on hard empty capsules from Brazil, China, India, and Vietnam; and AD/CVD on multifunctional acrylate/methacrylate monomers and oligomers from Taiwan. Commerce also initiated AD/CVD investigations on citric acid and certain citrate salts from Canada and India, with scope comments due March 2—importers should review scope and prepare for potential cash deposit exposure.
AD/CVD Roundup: China Foil CVD Up to 120.81%; Thai Pipe Zero
STR Trade Report •February 20, 2026
U.S. trade authorities issued final AD/CVD review results across several products. China aluminum foil faces CVD rates of 22.1–120.81% for 2023; Bahrain common alloy aluminum sheet sees a 15.74% AD margin (Apr 2023–Mar 2024) and a 3.34% CVD rate (2023); and India stainless steel bar margins range from 0–30.92% (Feb 2023–Jan 2024). Authorities also amended Thai circular welded pipe/tube AD results to a zero margin for 2018–2019 and finalized a scope clarification for Mexican fresh tomatoes, signaling potential changes to assessment or cash deposit rates and scope coverage that importers should assess.
CBP Reclassifies Auto Fuel Pump Modules, Adds 2.5% Duty
STR Trade Report •February 20, 2026
CBP will classify combined automotive fuel pump/fuel level sensor assemblies as pumps under HTSUS 8413.30.90 (2.5% duty) rather than as liquid measuring instruments under 9026.10.20 (duty-free). HQ ruling H254420 revokes NY 809868 and applies to entries on or after April 19, 2026, citing the pump’s principal function in these composite machines. Importers should expect higher landed costs and update classifications, pricing, and compliance documentation.
CBP Proposes Duty Shift for Auto Heaters, Nairobi Relief for Prosthetics
STR Trade Report •February 19, 2026
CBP proposes reclassifying automotive coolant heaters from HTSUS 8419.50.50 (duty-free heat exchange units) to 8419.89.95 (other heating machinery, 4.2% duty), revoking rulings HQ H065718, HQ H065720, and NY N233110. It would also modify NY A85213 to extend duty-free eligibility under HTSUS 9817.00.96 to a titanium alignment system for below‑knee prostheses. Comments are due March 20, signaling potential new costs for auto importers and Nairobi Protocol relief for qualifying medical device components.
Compliance Calendar & Regulatory Engagement
CBP Sets April Trade and Cargo Security Summit in Dallas
STR Trade Report •February 20, 2026
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will host its 2026 Trade and Cargo Security Summit in Dallas on April 28–30, featuring day-one plenaries and breakout sessions led by CBP, partner agencies, and industry on trade initiatives and cargo security priorities. The hybrid event offers in-person registration for $328 (closes April 16) and virtual attendance for $28 (closes April 24), providing importers, brokers, carriers, and compliance teams a direct channel to hear policy updates and engage with regulators.
USDA, FDA, ATF seek input on import paperwork requirements
STR Trade Report •February 20, 2026
Multiple U.S. agencies are accepting public comments on revisions or extensions of import-related information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Covered areas include USDA measures on gypsy moth host materials from Canada and movement of swine products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; ATF’s Form 5330.3A for importing firearms, ammunition, and defense articles; and FDA procedures for safe, sanitary processing and importing of fish and juice. Importers should review the dockets and comment on documentation, recordkeeping, and permitting burdens that could affect compliance costs and processing times.
WTO Agenda: Inclusive and Sustainable Trade
MC14 to Launch Gender-Trade Compendiums, Spotlight Digital Market Access
WTO Latest News •February 18, 2026
On 25 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon, WTO members in the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender will unveil a compendium of work since 2020, launch a second joint compendium with the MSME group on empowering women through digitalisation, and issue a co‑chairs’ statement to deepen collaboration on inclusive trade. ITC SheTrades and the WEIDE Fund will feature donor partnerships, survey insights on barriers to women’s participation in digital trade, and pitches from young African innovators, while a reception highlights ACRAM’s roadmap for women in the coffee value chain and a finance-access pilot. Registration closes 22 February, offering a venue to align policy guidance and partnerships to expand women’s market access.
WTO members endorse MC14 draft to boost small economies' trade participation
WTO Latest News •February 16, 2026
On 17 February, WTO members endorsed a draft MC14 decision—tabled by the Group of Small, Vulnerable Economies—to better integrate small economies, particularly in digital trade, into the multilateral trading system. The text tasks the Secretariat with mapping SVE constraints in logistics, connectivity and border processes; promoting trade facilitation and digital tools to improve transparency and traceability; and sharing best practices to expand MSME participation. If adopted at MC14 in Yaoundé on 26–29 March, it would sustain monitoring of SVE proposals across WTO bodies and steer technical assistance toward digital trade enablement and border modernization.
WTO FFSR Members Map Phase-Out Paths, Eye Heavy Industry Support
WTO Latest News •February 15, 2026
WTO members in the FFSR initiative met on 16 February to advance transparency, tools to wind down crisis-era support, and guidelines to tackle the most harmful fossil fuel subsidies, with new analysis spotlighting support to steel, aluminium, cement, chemicals and plastics and its trade distortions. Colombia detailed fiscal gains from phased subsidy cuts and, with the EU, is organizing a 24–29 April conference in Santa Marta to mobilize practical reform pathways, while Vanuatu invoked the ICJ climate opinion to press for a rapid, equitable phase-out. With MC14 in March in Cameroon approaching, co-sponsors are preparing a ministerial statement and potential deliverables—signaling tighter scrutiny and possible reform timelines for emissions‑intensive sectors.
