特朗普政府正悄悄调整其关税政策
第一财经·2025-10-20 13:29

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is quietly adjusting its signature tariff policy, expanding exemptions for various products while preparing for potential legal challenges regarding the legality of its tariffs [3][6][12]. Summary by Sections Tariff Exemptions - Recently, the Trump administration has exempted dozens of products from its "reciprocal tariffs" and indicated that hundreds of products, ranging from agricultural goods to aircraft parts, will be exempted when trade agreements are reached with other countries [6][10]. - The exemptions reflect a growing sentiment among government officials that the U.S. should lower tariffs on non-domestically produced goods [6][10]. - A new list of exemptions, referred to as "Annex II," includes products such as gold, LED lights, and certain minerals, chemicals, and metals that are affected by Section 232 tariffs [6][10]. Legal Strategy Shift - The Trump administration is expanding its tariff measures based on the more established legal framework of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, specifically Section 232 [12][14]. - Recent actions include imposing a 25% tariff on trucks and their parts and a 10% tariff on buses, effective November 1 [12][14]. - The administration has also extended the tariff exemption application process for automakers, allowing them to offset costs from tariffs on auto and truck parts until 2030 [12][14]. Economic Impact - According to estimates from the Yale Budget Lab, the tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are expected to raise price levels by 1.7% in the short term, equating to a loss of approximately $2,400 in average household income in 2025 [10][11]. - The tariffs are projected to significantly impact consumer prices, with leather goods expected to rise by 36% and clothing prices by 34% in the short term [11]. Trade Policy Dynamics - The administration's shift towards Section 232 tariffs is seen as a more effective tool for promoting domestic manufacturing, as it allows for broader application and justification compared to previous tariff measures [12][14][15]. - Experts suggest that the legal authority granted under Section 232 is more robust and less likely to be challenged compared to other legal frameworks previously used for tariffs [14][15].