Executive Order 14289

Addressing Certain Tariffs on Imported Articles

Signed April 29, 2025, printed at 90 FR 18907. 5 sections of substance, 1,509 words.

In plain English

This order stops trade taxes stacking on the same goods. Only one applies at a time.

Sec. 1. Purpose

The United States has imposed tariffs under various statutory authorities and through a number of Executive Orders and proclamations to protect national security and address unusual and extraordinary threats to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Although each of these actions, as listed in section 2 of this order, serves separate and distinct policy purposes, I have now determined that, to the extent these tariffs apply to the same article, these tariffs should not all have a cumulative effect (or ``stack'' on top of one another) because the rate of duty resulting from such stacking exceeds what is necessary to achieve the intended policy goals. To avoid the cumulative effect of overlapping tariffs on certain articles, this order sets out the procedure for determining which of multiple tariffs shall apply to an article when that article is subject

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It says several tariffs may hit the same item. It says each was set for its own reason. It says stacking them goes beyond what is needed. It says the total rate would be too high. This order sets which one applies.

Sec. 2. Applicability

This order shall apply only to the administration of tariffs imposed through the following actions and subsequent amendments to those tariffs: (a) Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States); (b) Executive Order 14193 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border), as amended by Executive Order 14197 of February 3, 2025 (Progress on the Situation at Our Northern Border), Executive Order 14226 of March 2, 2025 (Amendment to Duties To Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border), and Executive Order 14231 of March 6, 2025 (Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border); (c) Executive Order 14194 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Situation at Our Southern Border), as amended by Executive Order

In plain English

This lists the tariffs it covers. A March 2025 car proclamation is first. Then come the border duty orders. Each has been amended more than once. Every amendment is covered too. Only these actions fall under this order.

Sec. 3. Non-Stacking of Tariff Measures

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of any action listed in section 2 of this order, tariffs for articles subject to tariffs under the actions listed in section 2 of this order shall apply as follows: (i) An article subject to tariffs pursuant to the action listed in section (2)(a) of this order shall not be subject to additional tariffs on that article pursuant to the actions listed in sections 2(b) through 2(e) of this order. (ii) An article subject to tariffs pursuant to the actions listed in section 2(b) or 2(c) of this order shall not be subject to additional tariffs on that article pursuant to the actions listed in section 2(d) or 2(e) of this order. (iii) An article subject to tariffs pursuant to the actions listed in section 2(d) of this order shall be subject to additional tariffs on that article pursuant to the actions listed in section 2(e) of this order, provided the article

In plain English

This sets the order of priority. An item hit by the car tariff pays only that. An item hit by a border duty escapes later ones. Items under one group may still face the next. The rule works down the list in turn. Each item ends up paying one of them.

Sec. 4. Non-applicability to Other Tariff Measures

(a) Nothing in this order shall be interpreted to alter or limit the application of any duties, taxes, fees, or exactions other than those imposed pursuant to the actions listed in section 2 of this order. (b) Accordingly, an article that is subject to duties pursuant to an action listed in section 2 of this order may still be subject to other applicable duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges, such as, but not limited to, those set forth in column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS); duties imposed pursuant to section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended; duties imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14195 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People's Republic of China), as amended; and antidumping and countervailing duties.

In plain English

This says what is not touched. Other duties and fees still apply. The standard tariff table is named. So are duties under a 1974 trade law. So are the China opioid duties. Anti dumping duties still apply as well.

Sec. 5. Implementation

(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall take all necessary steps to update guidance, systems, and enforcement mechanisms, including to revise, suspend, or rescind any regulations that may be inconsistent with this order, to reflect the policy set forth in this order. (b) The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Trade Representative, shall provide additional guidance as necessary to ensure consistent interpretation and application of the policy set forth in this order. (c) The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to determine whether changes to the HTSUS are necessary and to coordinate with the Chair [[Page 18909]] of the United States International

In plain English

This says who carries it out. Customs must update guidance and systems. It may revise or drop rules that clash. Commerce and Treasury help with that. Further guidance may be issued as needed. Customs may also change the tariff table.

Sec. 6. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, April 29, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-07835 Filed 5-1-25; 11:15 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.