America First Trade Policy Reports In

On April 3, 2025, the Trump Administration announced the America First Trade Policy Report, a 24-chapter document addressing U.S. trade imbalances, non-reciprocal practices, and national security concerns.  The January 20, 2025 Presidential Memorandum on America First Trade Policy (AFTP), directed the cabinet to report  on  24 trade-related topics.  

The reports themselves were not made public, rather the White House released a brief summary of the report, noting that chapters include reviews of unfair foreign trade practices, renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and assessments of foreign currency manipulation and existing trade agreements.

The report also addresses economic and trade relations with China, including compliance with the Phase One Agreement and potential new Section 301 actions.

Summary of the Summary. 

1. Trade Deficit and National Security: The report identifies the persistent trade deficit as a significant threat to U.S. economic and national security. It recommends imposing tariffs on certain imports to achieve reciprocity and balanced trade.

2. External Revenue Service (ERS): Proposes the establishment of an ERS to centralize and optimize tariff collection, aiming to deter fraudulent and unfair trade practices.

3. Unfair Foreign Trade Practices: The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) identified over 500 unfair and non-reciprocal trade practices by trading partners. Recommendations include utilizing existing legal authorities to address these practices.

4. USMCA Renegotiation: Calls for stronger rules of origin, expanded market access—particularly for dairy exports to Canada—and addressing Mexico’s discriminatory practices in sectors like energy.

5. Currency Manipulation: The Department of the Treasury is tasked with strengthening currency analysis and addressing the lack of transparency by foreign governments in currency markets.

6. Review of Trade Agreements: Suggests modernizing existing trade agreements to align with American interests, including lowering foreign tariffs and improving market access for U.S. agricultural products.

7. Identifies countries and sectors which may be "ripe for the negotiation of America First Agreements."
8. AD/CVD Policies The addition of new countries to the list of non-market economies, methodologies to better implement AD/CVD laws, and more-active self-initiation of new investigations

9. De Minimis Exemption: Recommends ending the duty-free de minimis exemption for imports valued at $800 or less, citing significant revenue loss and security risks.

10. Extraterritorial Taxes: Advocates for combating discriminatory taxes imposed by foreign governments on U.S. firms, particularly digital services taxes.

11. Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): Suggests modifying or renegotiating the GPA to address the lack of reciprocity and unfair competition.

12. China’s failure to comply with the Phase One Agreement: Recommends potential responses, inclusing
13. Section 301 Four-Year-Review. 
14. Additional Section 301 investigations and
15. Reassessment of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR).
16. Intellectual Property Reciprocity assessment

17. Section 232 Actions: Identifies additional products and sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, for potential initiation of new Section 232 investigations to protect national security.

18. Steel and Aluminium Section 232 Review

19. Export Controls and Outbound Investment: Calls for stricter export controls and evaluation of outbound investment restrictions to prevent the flow of advanced technology to adversaries.

20. ICTS Review expanding its scope and remit to encompass advanced technologies controlled by our adversaries.
21. Outbound Investment Restrictions Evaluate is whether the scope of outbound investment restrictions should be expanded 

22. Foreign Subsidies and Procurement: Assesses the impact of foreign subsidies on federal procurement and suggests measures to strengthen domestic procurement preferences.

23. Unlawful Migration and Fentanyl Flows: Details tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China to address the flow of illegal migrants and drugs into the United States.

24. E-Commerce Moratorium: Recommends ensuring the permanence of the WTO’s moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions to protect U.S. digital trade interests.

[Fact Sheet]