Host: Cindy Allen

In this year-end “Cindy’s Version” of Simply Trade, Cindy Allen, CEO of TradeForce Multiplier, uses Taylor Swift’s “The Manuscript” to frame a look back at 2025’s trade story. She recaps the latest developments—from the Court of International Trade’s surprise ruling on the Costco injunction and IEPA liquidation concerns to a new Switzerland–Liechtenstein trade deal and CBP’s long‑awaited “stacking” spreadsheet. Cindy also highlights the U.S. government’s announcement that it collected 200 billion dollars in new tariffs this year, and what that really means for importers’ bottom lines.

Using “The Manuscript” as a metaphor, Cindy walks through the big chapters of this year in trade: unprecedented use of authorities like IEPA and 232, the temporary shock of 145% China tariffs, the demise of de minimis, a jump in effective average duty rates, and a surge in complexity around stacking, derivative tariffs, and country‑of‑melt reporting. She also touches on ACE edit‑check gaps, compressed implementation timelines, expanded ACAS data requirements, and pilots like the Global Business Identifier that signal a move toward progressive filing and deeper supply chain visibility. Cindy closes by reflecting on the vital role of trade associations, community, and collaboration—and shares her hope that next year’s “manuscript” reads more like a romantic comedy than an action thriller.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What the CIT’s ruling in the Costco/IEPA case really means for injunctions and refunds

Key updates: Switzerland–Liechtenstein trade deal, CBP stacking spreadsheet, and tariff collections

How IEPA and 232 were used in new, expansive ways—including derivative and fentanyl‑related tariffs

The “demise of de minimis” and its impact on trade flows and compliance workloads

Why average effective duty rates have jumped from ~2–3% to around 17%

How trade “deals” differ from formal FTAs and why they complicate stacking rules

New data, timing, and ACE challenges: melt/cast reporting, missing edit checks, and 1‑day rollouts

The growing role of pilots like GBI and progressive filing in reshaping future entry processes

Why uncertainty itself—legal, financial, and operational—has become a major cost driver

Key Takeaways

2025’s trade “manuscript” is defined by unprecedented authority use, higher duty rates, and much more complexity.

Rapid‑fire changes, thin guidance, and limited ACE edit checks have shifted more risk and responsibility onto importers, brokers, and software providers.

Community, collaboration, and strong industry groups (ICPA, NCBFAA, AAEI, COAC) are essential to interpreting and managing ongoing change.

As the trade community turns the page to a new year, the goal is a calmer, more predictable “script”—with fewer action scenes and more stability.

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