Weekly Trade Newsletter

— Businesses weighed in on the proposed “board of trade” with China, arguing that formalizing much of its activities would be key for restoring trade stability. — A key statutory deadline for the administration's proposed Brazil tariffs lands this week. — A Commerce Department program to promote artificial intelligence exports gets off to a bumpy start. It's Monday, July 13. Welcome to Morning Trade. Got news tips? Want to grab a coffee?

— Foreign governments are rejecting U.S. claims that they aren't taking sufficient steps to root out products made with forced labor from their supply chains. — A New York Republican is trying to launch a trade investigation into Canadian restrictions on U.S. liquor. — What does a change in Downing Street mean for trade relations between the United States and the United Kingdom? It's Monday, July 6. Welcome to Morning Trade. Got news tips? Want to grab a coffee?

— The U.S. goods trade deficit is widening as companies take advantage of the Trump administration's pivot to alternative tariff authorities. — July is shaping up to be a packed month for trade policy. — A Louisiana senator is mounting an effort to secure tariff-rate quotas in import-sensitive food industries. It's Monday, June 29. Welcome to Morning Trade. Got news tips? Want to grab a coffee?

With help from Marcia Brown — Toymakers are teeing up the next phase of a lobbying push as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative eyes sweeping tariffs on 60 economies. — A judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade dropped a demand for a top customs official to appear at a hearing explaining the Trump administration’s process for tariff refunds. — The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement helped lower food prices, according to a new report from agricultural export groups. It’s Monday, June 8.

The Trump administration's decision to appeal a judge's order requiring tariff refunds for all eligible importers is casting fresh uncertainty over the repayment process. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images — The Department of Justice’s decision to appeal a judge’s refund order could complicate the return of more than $160 billion worth of tariff payments. — The Commerce Department is aiming to close a “loophole” enabling the flow of high-end chips to Chinese companies through overseas affiliates.

With help from Mickey Djuric and Daniel Barnes The Trump administration is sharpening its criticism of Canada’s new content spending rules for streaming companies. | Evan Vucci/AP — Canada’s move to hike fees on U.S. streaming giants throws another wrench into the six-year review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which formally begins July 1. — Mexico is gearing up for the next round of talks under the North American trade pact. A major union group is already charting out its red lines.

China's Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven on May 14, 2026, in Beijing, China. | Pool photo by Kenny Holston — President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to new agricultural purchasing commitments. That falls short of the “monumental” reset teased ahead of the summit. — India signaled portions of a preliminary trade deal with the United States could be adjusted. — Democrats on Ways and Means are pressing for changes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

President Donald Trump’s latest tariff setback is triggering a scramble among importers and trade lawyers over whether companies need to sue now to preserve their shot at relief. | AP — President Donald Trump’s trade agenda took another hit when a federal court ruled his replacement tariffs unlawful. Importers aren’t certain there’s a path to relief. — Nike is the latest retail giant to face a lawsuit from consumers alleging the company has not committed to passing tariff refunds on to shoppers.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer looks on during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on Jan. 14, 2026. | Francis Chung/POLITICO — Powerful voices in the trade and tech sectors will ask the Trump administration to tread lightly at this week’s hearing on a Section 301 trade investigation into excess capacity. — President Donald Trump said the United States will guide certain ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

A ship is docked at the Port of Long Beach, Feb. 20, 2026, in Long Beach, California. | Damian Dovarganes/AP — Trade and customs experts have a message for companies rushing to file refund claims for more than $160 billion in tariffs collected illegally over the past year: tread lightly. — USTR Jamieson Greer is in Mexico this morning for USMCA talks before returning stateside to testify before House Ways and Means and Senate Finance.