#TARIFFIMPACT

[adafruit]

Desk of Ladyada - Tariff Talk! ASK AWAY! 📦🌎💸

We're doing the show tonight or Tues, so much is going on. Lots more questions came in too! Post yours before we go live…

This week was not a big week for engineering because we're neck-deep in tariff management! We had a video on Wednesday about the first round of tariffs announced—they have since been ratcheted up to 20% + 125% = 145% minimum on products from China and Hong Kong. "Retaliatory" tariffs on products from other countries have been paused, but there's still a 10% global tariff.

Then on Friday, it looks like some HTS codes

were "exempted" temporarily

Let's take a look at the CBP (link) and the exempt tariff codes

and see how they might apply to the kinds of stuff we use to do our electronics engineering.

The Great Search - How to Source Tariffed & Non-Tariffed Items on DigiKey

https://www.digikey.com/short/2nb7nzb3

Since this is the topic of the day, we'll be looking at how to purchase an item from DigiKey with tariffs in mind. DigiKey is a free trade zone, which means that if you're not in the USA, you will not have to pay additional tariffs on goods that are re-exported. However, for USA destinations, the new tariffs can add a significant cost if the component has its last manufacturing step in China.

Let's use the example of a simple I2C-controlled temperature sensor to see how our sourcing decisions may be impacted by tariffs.

[tradeimexdataprovider]

🌞 US Solar Panel Imports Hit by Tariffs: What’s Next for the Industry?

The U.S. solar industry is under pressure as tariffs of up to 3,521% disrupt solar panel imports from Southeast Asia. 📉 In 2024, imports dropped by 13%, totaling $23.32 billion, with major impacts on pricing, supply chains, and clean energy goals.

🛠️ Key Highlights:

🇺🇸 U.S. imports 54.3 GW of panels, mostly from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & Cambodia

💰 Tariff hikes increase module costs by 91%–286%

📉 Utility-scale projects see ~$300/kW rise in cost

🏭 U.S. boosts local solar manufacturing, backed by the Inflation Reduction Act

🌍 9 out of the top 10 solar panel manufacturers are from China

💡 With global demand still growing, the question remains: Can U.S. solar leaders overcome tariff barriers and maintain momentum?

📊 Get the full analysis, data, and market forecast here: 👉 Read Full Blog

[thehustlejournal]

U.S. Farmers Declare Trade Crisis as Chinese Cancellations Mount

America’s agriculture industry is no longer bracing for a trade war crisis — it’s already in one, according to exporters who say U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures have pushed the sector into full-scale economic distress.

“It is a full-blown crisis already,” said Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), citing widespread export cancellations, warehouse overflows, and mounting losses. His warning comes as the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to renegotiate trade deals, particularly with China, which has slashed purchases of U.S. farm goods.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed China canceled 12,000 tons of pork orders — the largest such move since 2020. The AgTC has reported canceled shipments across commodities, including wood pulp, hay, grass seed, and containerized food products, with some goods rerouted mid-transit or stranded at ports due to sudden buyer withdrawals.

At the Port of Oakland, a key hub for U.S. agricultural exports, leadership is warning of broader economic fallout. Executive Director Kristi McKenney told stakeholders the port’s balanced import-export flow — rare among U.S. ports — makes it especially vulnerable to retaliation from key markets like China, Japan, and South Korea.

"Retaliatory tariffs on agriculture and manufactured goods could threaten jobs and regional stability," McKenney said. The port, which handles nearly all containerized cargo in Northern California, is the nation’s top gateway for refrigerated exports such as beef, dairy, and produce.

Some exporters say they’ve already been forced to lay off workers, halt orders, and reduce procurement from independent suppliers like truckers and sawmills. One hay exporter in Washington state reported cutting a quarter of its staff after rerouting shipments to less profitable markets.

Containerized agricultural goods — which account for over half the value of U.S. farm exports — now face another looming cost: newly announced U.S. port fees on Chinese-made vessels. Though bulk ag exports were exempted under the SHIPS Act, containerized exports were not, prompting Friedmann to call for urgent policy revision.

“There’s no alternative market that can fully replace China,” said one exporter. “The current policies are unsustainable for businesses built on years of stable trade flows.”

Shipping data from Vizion Global shows a sharp 44% year-over-year drop in China-to-U.S. vessel traffic, with canceled sailings and reduced bookings suggesting that the economic ripple effects of the trade standoff are deepening.

Farmers and exporters are now appealing to Washington for immediate action, warning that unless exemptions and new deals are enacted swiftly, the damage could be long-term. “So much of our future lies in the hands of so few,” a hay exporter wrote to AgTC. “We plead for leadership that keeps shipments moving, not policies that shut them down.”

[usaviralcontent]

‘Self-inflicted wound’ in Trump’s tariffs, ‘The Economist’ editor warns

Read More...

[autoevtimes]

https://autoevtimes.com/idtechex-analyzes-us-tariffs-impact-on-the-ev-charging-market/

[insightdaily]

Vermont maple syrup makers face uncertainty amid Canada and China tariff chaos

Producing maple syrup in New England is already a challenge thanks to unpredictable spring weather — and now, President Donald Trump's shifting tariff strategies are stirring even more uncertainty in an industry deeply tied to international trade.

“Any disruption in our cross-border operations hits us hard,” said Jim Judd, a fourth-generation sugar maker and owner of Judd’s Wayeeses Farms in Morgan, Vermont. “Making maple syrup is uncertain enough as it is.”

[taznews]

Ted Cruz warns of 'bloodshed' in midterm elections if Trump's tariffs cause recession //

Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has warned that his fellow Republicans risk “hemorrhaging” the 2026 midterm elections if Donald Trump’s “Emancipation Day” tariffs cause a recession.

Cruz also warned that if the president’s tariffs remain in place for too long and are met with global retaliation on American goods, a full-blown trade war could erupt, “destroying jobs at home and doing real damage to the U.S. economy.”

“A hundred years ago, the U.S. economy didn’t have the impact it has today. But I’m concerned that there are voices within the administration that want to keep these tariffs in place forever,” he added. Read more:

Visit More: https://tinyurl.com/mtmk7

[chaitanya]

Trump Tariffs to Impact 20% of US Car Sales, Raising Industry Concerns

The Trump administration's tariffs, impacting vehicles from trade partners like China, Mexico, and Canada, could affect nearly 20% of car sales in the US. In 2024, 2.9 million vehicles from these nations made up a significant portion of total car sales. Mexican factories saw a 13% growth, while Canadian exports declined. This trade disruption poses challenges for manufacturers, particularly Volkswagen, which heavily relies on Mexican-made vehicles, signaling potential shifts in the US automotive landscape.

[adafruit]

The Great Search - How to Source Tariffed & Non-Tariffed Items on DigiKey 📦🌎💸 https://youtu.be/I-eD6FSM0bU

[enterprisewired]

Trump’s Proposed Tariffs Threaten Canada’s Auto Industry

Source: thehindu.com

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Potential Economic Impact on Ontario’s Automotive Sector

Trump’s tariff proposal to impose a 25% duty on Canadian imports has raised significant concerns about the potential impact on Canada’s automotive industry, particularly in Ontario. The province, home to major automakers such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, and Honda, produced approximately 1.54 million light-duty vehicles in 2023, primarily for the U.S. market. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has expressed alarm, stating that such tariffs could devastate jobs on both sides of the border. The integrated nature of the automotive supply chain means that raw materials and parts often cross the U.S.-Canada border multiple times before final assembly. Tariffs could increase production costs, leading to higher consumer prices, reduced production, and potential job losses.

Broader Economic Implications and Political Reactions

The proposed tariffs are part of a broader plan by President-elect Trump to address issues such as illegal immigration and drug trafficking by leveraging trade policies. He has indicated intentions to impose a 25% levy on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing national security concerns. These measures could have far-reaching implications beyond the automotive sector, affecting various industries and potentially leading to increased consumer prices. Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have criticized the tariff threats, emphasizing the deep economic ties between Canada and the U.S. Trudeau has highlighted that such measures could make life more expensive for Americans and has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions to address the concerns.

Potential Consequences for North American Trade Relations

Trump’s tariff proposal could disrupt the highly integrated automotive industry in North America, which relies on a complex supply chain spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) was designed to facilitate trade among these nations, including provisions that require a significant portion of automobile content to be sourced within the region.

The introduction of new tariffs could disrupt these established trade relationships, leading to economic uncertainty and potential retaliatory measures. Industry experts warn that such disruptions could have a cascading effect, impacting not only manufacturers but also consumers and workers across the continent. The situation remains fluid, with stakeholders on all sides closely monitoring developments and preparing for potential negotiations to mitigate the impact of the proposed tariffs.