Universal 10% Tariff on All Imports; USMCA Exemption Extended Indefinitely — Effective April 5, 2025 (in 3 days)

Does this ever get old?—10% on everything, higher on some—and wondered how it hits your cart. Tariff Alert slices through the noise—no run-on sentences, just the facts on what’s changing and what you might pay next.

Announcement Details

On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order imposing a 10% baseline reciprocal tariff on virtually all U.S. imports, effective April 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT The White House. At the same time, he extended indefinitely the USMCA exemption for Canadian and Mexican goods that meet origin rules Orrick | A Global Law Firm. A second tranche of higher, country-specific rates—based on each partner’s trade deficit—takes effect April 9, 2025 Pillsbury Law.

U.S. Import Categories (2024 Values)

1. Crude Petroleum & Mineral Fuels ($336 billion) Investopedia
2. Passenger Vehicles & Parts ($280 billion) Investopedia
3. Electrical Machinery & Electronics ($259 billion) Investopedia
4. Pharmaceuticals & Packaged Medications ($62 billion) Investopedia
5. Apparel & Footwear ($45 billion) Investopedia

Agricultural & Food Imports (2024)

• Agricultural Products: $263 billion total, led by coffee, sugar, cocoa, fresh fruits, and vegetables Reuters.

Consumer-Product Impacts

• Electronics: The 10% tariff on cables, adapters, and smart-home gadgets sold online may translate to a 5–7% price bump as retailers pass on higher input costs .
• Apparel & Fashion: Fast-fashion imports (e.g., clothing on Amazon from overseas) could see 8–12% increases as duties apply at checkout Investopedia.
• Home Goods & Decor: Items like acrylic side tables and decorative lighting—often manufactured abroad—may trend 9–11% higher in the next price review Reuters.
• Books & Media: Thanks to the USMCA and Section 232 carve-outs, printed books and informational materials remain duty-free from Canada and Mexico—but you’ll pay the 10% on imports from elsewhere the American Booksellers Association.

Insights & Predictions

• Retailer Strategies: Major e-commerce platforms will likely absorb part of the tariff initially to avoid cart abandonment—but look for “temporary promotions” as they adjust Reuters.
• Supply-Chain Shifts: Sellers may shift more sourcing to USMCA-qualified suppliers in Canada/Mexico to dodge the baseline tariff—watch for a surge in “Made in North America” labels Orrick | A Global Law Firm.
• Small-Vendor Fallout: Cutting de minimis exemptions for low-value China/HK parcels (effective May 2) will squeeze smaller sellers on marketplaces, potentially reducing selection or raising minimum order values Welcome to WilmerHale.

Shop savvy—peek at our curated picks below before prices climb another notch.