Breaking Trade News: New Trade Deals Announced, Government Shutdown Ends, OFAC Advisory
Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news:
Congress
- After 43 days of halted operations, the United States federal government reopened on November 12, 2025. The funding bill, approved by the Senate on November 10 and by the House later that day. The bill funds most government operations through January 30, 2026.
- U.S. House Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking member of the House Select Committee on China, wrote a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking a series of pointed questions about the Administration’s decision to resume chip exports from Nexperia’s China factory.
- All members of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The letter urges the agency to delay implementation of the new U.S.-EU trade deal until the EU revises its deforestation reporting requirements, claiming the requirements would harm American timber exports.
Administration
- President Trump announced trade deals with El Salvador, Argentina, Ecuador, and Guatemala. As part of the deal, the U.S. is eliminating 15% tariffs on Ecuadoran bananas and cocoa, and 10% tariffs on Guatemalan coffee and Argentinian beef.
- In an interview with Fox News, President Trump said that there will be upcoming “surgical” reductions to reciprocal tariffs. When […]

