Host: Cindy Allen

In this week’s episode, Cindy Allen draws inspiration from Taylor Swift’s brand-new album The Life of a Show Girl—and reimagines it as The Life of a Trade Girl. With new Section 232 tariffs on lumber, cabinets, and vanities, plus looming duties on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, Cindy unpacks why navigating layered tariffs and multiple country-of-origin rules has trade professionals feeling the weight of confusion.

From the ongoing government shutdown to CBP’s enforcement posture and the uncertainty surrounding free trade agreements, this episode highlights both the resilience and the frustration of today’s trade community.

How the current government shutdown is affecting CBP operations and other government agencies

New Section 232 duties effective October 14 on lumber, kitchen cabinets, and vanities

The administration’s delayed rollout of 232 duties on pharmaceuticals and medical devices

The role of exemptions for companies breaking ground on U.S. manufacturing facilities

Why brand-name vs. generic pharmaceuticals will matter for tariff application

How Ireland and Switzerland could be most affected by pharmaceutical tariffs

The growing complexity of country-of-origin determinations across:

Why brokers and importers are struggling with multiple overlapping tariff annexes

CBP trade processing is continuing with minimal disruption despite the shutdown, though delays may occur with other government agency inspections.

Importers face new uncertainty as layered tariffs create multiple, conflicting country-of-origin determinations.

Pharmaceutical tariffs remain unclear, but exemptions may apply for U.S.-based or expanding manufacturers.

Ireland and Switzerland are key pharmaceutical exporters likely to be heavily impacted.

Customs brokers must navigate increasingly complex 232 annexes, requiring spreadsheets and case-by-case analysis.

Federal Register – Section 232 Notices

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

U.S. Department of the Treasury

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Hosts:

Cindy Allen – LinkedIn

Trade Force Multiplier

Producer:

Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

New episodes every Friday.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

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