President Trump tightens import duties on Mexican goods, revising de minimis exemptions to enhance tariff enforcement and address border security concerns.
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| President Trump signs an order adjusting import duties on Mexican goods, restricting de minimis exemptions to bolster tariff enforcement and border security. Image/ Illustration: ChicHue |
Washington, United States — March 3, 2025:
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order tightening import duty policies on Mexican goods, aiming to enhance tariff enforcement and address challenges at the southern border.
The order amends Executive Order 14194, issued on February 1, 2025, "Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border." It specifically restricts the de minimis threshold, which allows low-value imports to enter the U.S. duty-free.
Under the revised section 2(g):
"Duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 is available for otherwise eligible covered articles... Such duty-free de minimis treatment shall cease... upon notification by the Secretary of Commerce to the President that adequate systems are in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect tariff revenue..."
Once the Department of Commerce establishes efficient tariff collection mechanisms, duty-free privileges for certain imports may be revoked.
The original February 1 order was part of broader efforts to address security concerns at the southern border, including illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
In a follow-up order on February 3, "Progress on the Situation at Our Southern Border," Trump acknowledged cooperation from Mexico but emphasized the need for continued action.
This latest amendment reinforces the administration’s strategy to tighten trade policies with Mexico as a key component of its broader border security agenda.