Published on March 6, 2025
This executive order modifies previous tariffs imposed on Canadian goods, specifically exempting automotive parts and components that qualify under existing trade agreements while reducing potash duties from 25% to 10%. The action, dated March 6, 2025, claims to protect U.S. automotive industry jobs and maintain North American supply chains, with changes taking effect March 7, 2025.
While presented as a measure to protect American automotive jobs, this order appears to primarily benefit large multinational corporations by reducing their trade costs while potentially weakening leverage against Canada regarding border security issues mentioned in the referenced Executive Order 14193. The timing and specific reduction in potash tariffs suggests possible influence from agricultural and mining interests, as potash is crucial for fertilizer production, while the broad automotive exemptions could facilitate increased outsourcing of production under the guise of "North American integration."
Though framed as a protective measure for U.S. automotive workers, this order likely serves multiple hidden economic and political interests while potentially undermining previous border security measures. The selective tariff reductions, particularly in strategic materials like potash, combined with broad automotive sector exemptions, suggest a complex web of corporate influence rather than a straightforward worker protection measure.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order: Section 1. Background. Automotive production is a major source of Unites States employment and innovation and is integral to United States economic and national security. The American automotive industry as currently structured often trades substantial volumes of automotive parts and components across our borders in the interest of bringing supply chains closer to North America. In order to minimize disruption to the United States automotive industry and automotive workers, it is appropriate to adjust the tariffs imposed on articles of Canada in Executive Order 14193 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border). Sec. 2. Product Coverage. (a) Articles that are entered free of duty as a good of Canada under the terms of general note 11 to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), including any treatment set forth in subchapter XXIII of chapter 98 and subchapter XXII of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, as related to the Agreement between the United States of America, United Mexican States, and Canada, shall not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty described in section 2(a) or section 2(b) of Executive Order 14193.(b) The additional rate of duty on potash that is not subject to subsection (a) of this section shall be reduced to 10 percent in lieu of 25 percent. (c) The modifications set out in this section shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on March 7, 2025. Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative or legislative proposals.(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. DONALD J. TRUMPTHE WHITE HOUSE, March 6, 2025.