Trump Tariffs Letters Issued

The U.S. government has announced the first wave of new tariffs on imports from 14 countries, including many nations in Southeast Asia (ASEAN). This guide explains what these changes mean for your business and how you can prepare for them.

The New Tariffs

These tariff rates begin on August 1, from which importers of goods from the affected countries will have to pay the new taxes. For them, planning for the changes ahead has become essential.

Tariff Rates by Country

The list of new tariff rates for the 14 countries is appended below.

• 40% – Laos, Myanmar
• 36% – Cambodia, Thailand
• 35% – Bangladesh, Serbia
• 32% – Indonesia
• 30% – Bosnia & Herzegovina, South Africa
• 25% – Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, South Korea, Tunisia

Interestingly, Cambodia’s new 36 per cent tariff is far lower than the 49 per cent rate in President Trump’s original announcement. Meanwhile, Singapore, India and Taiwan, among others, have not yet heard from the White House.

President Trump has also warned the countries against retaliating against the United States. Any reciprocal tariffs would be met with increased US tariffs. One should note that these new duties can be added on top of other existing (and/or future) tariffs, such as those on steel or aluminum. This can make calculating your final cost more complex.

Business Risks

These tariffs create serious risks for your business. First, they directly increase your landed costs, which can reduce your profit margins. Second, they complicate customs clearance. Simple mistakes on your import documents can lead to costly delays or large fines at the U.S. border.

President Trump did add that companies can avoid the tariffs if they manufacture their products in the United States. However, such investment takes time to plan and execute. As a result, your entire supply chain would become less reliable. This instability makes it difficult to forecast expenses and manage your inventory effectively.

The Freight Forwarder’s Role

There are many benefits of working with a freight forwarder for ASEAN trade. These professionals handle complex customs paperwork to ensure your shipments comply with the new tariff codes. This focus on compliance helps you avoid costly penalties and delays.

Beyond customs, a freight forwarder manages the entire shipping process, often through door to door shipping. They find the best routes and provide clear price quotes that include all duties. This means you know your total landed cost before your shipment leaves the factory. By managing these details, a freight forwarder acts as a strategic partner. They help you navigate the difficult trade environment and give your business more stability.

Recommended Actions

The affected countries have expressed willingness in maintaining negotiations. Indonesia, for example, has already sent its top negotiator to Washington. As the discussions play out, the wisest move is to take action early. One way to start is to review your purchase orders from the affected countries to better understand the full financial impact.

Given these challenges, the most direct solution is to use a professional freight forwarding service. Instead of trying to navigate the complex rules and risks yourself, you can let our team at Express Freight Management handle the entire process for you. Our service is designed specifically to deal with challenges like these new tariffs. We ensure your goods clear customs correctly and arrive at their destination without costly surprises. Learn more about us and our full range of services, or better yet, contact us to discuss how we can manage your imports under the new tariff rules.

As a leading international freight forwarder based in the United States, we have successfully managed trades between the United States and Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam for nearly two decades. With expert knowledge, advanced technology, and a commitment to reliability, we provide seamless logistics management that helps you focus on what matters most—growing your business.