U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that took effect on September 8, 2025. It offers tariff exemptions for countries with trade agreements.
According to Reuters, the order covers over 45 categories of goods. These include industrial exports like nickel, gold, and pharmaceutical compounds. The goal is to align U.S. tariffs with agreements reached with allies such as Japan and the European Union.
The exemptions begin at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT). They apply to items not made enough in the U.S., such as graphite, neodymium magnets, and medical reagents. However, prior exemptions for plastics and polysilicon (used in solar panels) will end.
Trump signs order offering some tariff exemptions to countries with US trade deals https://t.co/urQyhSxAIM https://t.co/urQyhSxAIM
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 6, 2025During his first seven months in office, Trump focused on raising tariffs. He aimed to reduce U.S. trade deficits and improve trade deals. This order allows the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Department to waive tariffs for countries with “reciprocal” trade deals automatically. Decisions will consider the deal’s value and benefit to U.S. interests.
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A White House official said the exemptions include agricultural products, aircraft parts, and some non-patented medicines. Countries like Switzerland, which face high tariffs on gold, will benefit.
Trump’s order changes global trade. It rewards countries with aligned trade deals while pressing others, like Switzerland, to negotiate. The move could affect many industries, from manufacturing to healthcare.
