PROCLAMATION: Adjusting Imports of Semiconductors, Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, and their Derivation Products into the United States - The White House
1. On December 22, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of semiconductors (semiconductors or chips), semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and their derivative products on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232). Based on the facts considered in that investigation, and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and their derivative products are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.
2. The Secretary found that the present quantities and circumstances of imports of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and their derivative products pose a threat to the national security and economy. The United States’ capacity to produce semiconductors, certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment such as advanced lithography and etching tools, and their derivative products is insufficient to meet domestic demand. This has led the United States to be dependent on foreign sources to meet domestic demand for semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and their derivative products.
3. The Secretary found that semiconductors are essential to the United States’ economic, industrial, and military strength. Modern defense systems depend on high-performance semiconductors for radar and communication systems, electronic warfare and cybersecurity systems, and guidance and control systems for missiles and drones. Furthermore, defense systems often require specialized semiconductors that can withstand extreme environments. This reliance on semiconductors is expected only to increase.
4. The Secretary found that semiconductors are essential to each of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by National Security Memorandum 22 of April 30, 2024 (Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience). For example, the communications sector requires semiconductors for broadband networks, routing, switching, telecommunications infrastructure, smartphones, and satellite communications systems. The energy sector requires them for smart grid control and converter systems. Nuclear reactors use semiconductors for sensors and safety systems, control-rod-actuation systems, distributed control systems, and power-management systems. The medical sector uses semiconductors in its imaging systems, diagnostic-assay systems, robotic surgical systems, and in pacemakers and defibrillators.
5. The Secretary found that the United States’ capacity to manufacture semiconductors is too low to meet projected national defense needs and to match the requirements of a growing commercial industry. The United States consumes roughly one quarter of the world’s semiconductors. The United States currently fully manufactures only approximately 10 percent of the chips it requires, making it heavily reliant on foreign supply chains. This dependence on foreign supply chains is a significant economic and national security risk. Given the foundational role that semiconductors play in the modern economy and national defense, a disruption of import-reliant supply chains could strain the United States’ industrial and military capabilities.
6. The Secretary found that semiconductors that enable artificial intelligence (AI) are an important element of many data centers currently in use, such that the importation in current quantities and circumstances poses a threat to the national security, when such importation does not contribute to the buildout of the United States technology supply chain.
7. In light of these findings, the Secretary recommended a two-phase plan of action to adjust imports of semiconductors so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States. In the first phase, the United States would continue ongoing trade negotiations with foreign jurisdictions that have the potential to strengthen the United States semiconductor industry. The Secretary also recommended, as part of this first phase, immediately imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on a very narrow category of semiconductors that are an important element of my Administration’s AI and technology policies, and that such tariff would not apply when the chips are imported to support the buildout of the United States technology supply chain. In the second phase — after trade negotiations have concluded — the Secretary recommended broader tariffs on semiconductors, at a rate of duty that is significant. The Secretary also recommended that this broader tariff be accompanied by a tariff offset program to enable companies investing in United States semiconductor production and certain parts of the United States semiconductor supply chain to obtain preferential tariff treatment.
Read Entire Proclamation here
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Polyethylene Terephthalate Sheet From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Sunset Review and Revocation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Phosphate Fertilizers From the Kingdom of Morocco: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; Notice of Amended Final Results
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Overhead Door Counterbalance Torsion Springs From India; Scheduling of the Final Phase of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations
• Chromium Trioxide From India and Turkey; Determinations
• Certain Wearable Devices With Fall Detection and Components Thereof; Notice of Institution of Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Algeria: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Egypt: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Welded Stainless Steel Pressure Pipe From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Disposable Vaporizer Devices; Notice of a Commission Determination To Review in Part the Final Initial Determination and To Request Written Submissions on the Issues Under Review and Remedy, Bond, and the Public Interest
• Coated Paper Suitable for High-Quality Print Graphics Using Sheet-Fed Presses From Indonesia; Request for Comments Regarding the Institution of a Section 751(b) Review Concerning the Commission's Affirmative Determinations
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils From Taiwan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2023-2024
• Silicon Metal From the Russian Federation: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Certain Quartz Surface Products From India and the Republic of Türkiye: Continuation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Welded Large Diameter Line Pipe From Japan: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes From Japan: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
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Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2025 Amendments) - Federal Register
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, decreasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS is updating the Import Assessment Table to account for changes since the last assessment adjustment in 2024.
DATES: This direct final rule is effective March 1, 2026, without further action or notice, unless a significant adverse comment is received by January 30, 2026. If a significant adverse comment is received, AMS will publish a timely withdrawal of the amendment in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this direct final rule. Comments may be submitted by mail or hand delivery to Cotton Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38133 or via the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov.
All comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments submitted in response to this direct final rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public and can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov.
Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the internet at the address provided above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Coleman, Acting Branch Chief, Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38133; telephone (901) 384-3000; facsimile (901) 384-3033; or email at CottonRP@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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E-Commerce Challenges - U.S Customs & Border Protection
Prior to the boom in e-commerce, low-value shipments were largely confined to express consignment and international mail modes of entry, entering through hubs designed and staffed specifically for these types of imports. These low-value shipments now enter through all modes of transportation, at all ports of entry, flooding locations that have not previously processed these shipments.
As the rise in e-commerce has made it easier for consumers to have their goods delivered right to their door, bad actors are increasingly using this process to smuggle illicit goods or circumvent payment of duties, taxes, and fees. Criminal groups are exploiting the explosive growth of e-commerce to sell counterfeit goods and other illicit products through online platforms and are using the unprecedented growth in the number of low value shipments entering the United States to smuggle dangerous, illicit goods.
CBP recognizes this is a high-risk environment and has focused its resources to better determine which of the nearly 4 million low value shipments entering the U.S. each day are safe and can proceed to the consumer or purchaser, and which should be held and further examined.
De Minimis Statistics
De Minimis volume and values are based on the number of Bills of Lading (BOLs) and their declared value at the time of import. A BOL is a commercially available document issued by a carrier to a shipper, signed by the captain, agent, or owner of a vessel, furnishing written evidence regarding receipt of the goods, the conditions on which transportation is made (contract of carriage), and the engagement to deliver goods.
Section 321 BOL - De Minimis
The table reflects De Minimis volumes and values spanning across a 3+ year timeline.
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PROCLAMATION: Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and their Derivative Products into the United States - The White House
1. On October 24, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products (PCMDPs) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232). Based on the facts considered in that investigation, which took into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that PCMDPs are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.
2. The Secretary found that PCMDPs are essential to the national security of the United States. PCMDPs are indispensable to almost every industry, including national defense programs and critical infrastructure. PCMDPs are embedded across defense and commercial supply chains and play an essential role in the production of advanced weapons systems, energy infrastructure, and everyday consumer goods. For example, rare earth permanent magnets — a derivative product of processed critical minerals — are used in and vital to nearly all electronics and vehicles.
Read entire Proclamation here
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Port of NY & NJ Maintains Status as Nation’s Second Busiest for Loaded TEUs - Port of NY/NJ
In November, the Port of New York and New Jersey moved a total of 730,352 TEUs (398,131 containers), a 1.6 percent increase from the previous year’s 718,826 TEUs (394,649 containers). This number brings our year-through-November total to 8,245,060 TEUs (4,524,265 containers). November saw 509,124 loaded TEUs moved, maintaining its position as the nation’s second-busiest gateway for this measurement. The port has held this status over the first 11 months of the year, moving a total of 5,520,444 loaded TEUs from January through November. By The Numbers 2025 Year to Date (January – November) November 2025 November 2025 Rail Volume 8,245,060 TEUs (4,524,265 containers) handled 730,352.
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