OMAHA, Neb. 鈥 Rancher Brett Kenzy hopes President Donald Trump's tariffs will make imported beef expensive enough that Americans will turn to cattle raised at home for all of their hamburgers and steaks.
That might raise prices enough to give Kenzy and others the incentive they need to expand their herds for the first time in decades. But doing that would take at least two years, and it's not clear if Trump's tariffs on most of the world besides China are high enough to make that worth the investment.
Rancher Brett Kenzy stands next to a calf he helped deliver and its mother not long after the birth on his ranch near Gregory, S.D.
鈥淚f we can just fix a few key things, I think that we can reinvigorate rural America,鈥 said the South Dakota rancher. 鈥淛ust get these imports under control, get them to a level that we can understand and plan on, and then let us fill the void. And I think that the American rancher can do that.鈥
Trump has enjoyed overwhelming support in rural parts of the country in his three campaigns for president. Still, the uncertainty created by the trade war he instigated has given some ranchers pause as they've watched cattle prices drop after the tariffs were announced.
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鈥淚 just don鈥檛 like manipulated markets because somebody is going to artificially win and somebody is going to artificially lose,鈥 said Bryant Kagay, who raises and feeds cattle as well as growing crops on his farm in northwest Missouri. 鈥淎nd how do I know it鈥檚 not going to be me?鈥
Bryant Kagay, part owner of Kagay farms in Amity, Missouri, works on equipment April 4 to get ready for planting his crops this year while worrying about the effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Ranchers听hope the tariffs might create an incentive for them to raise more cattle, and the National Cattlemen trade group is salivating at the idea of selling more cuts of meat overseas if the tariffs lead to new trade deals with countries that don't buy much U.S. beef.
That's a big if 鈥 Trump has said dozens of countries have reached out to negotiate new trade deals, but no agreements have been reached.
About the only thing clear so far is that American ranchers will likely lose one of their biggest markets as a result of the 125% tariffs imposed by China in response to Trump. They sold $1.6 billion worth of beef there last year, and since many ranchers also raise crops, they are reeling about the prospect of losing China as a market for those, too.
Most beef exports to China are already on hold because the certificates from that country that meat plants need weren't renewed at most beef plants in the United States after they expired in March. So the U.S. Meat Export Federation said few American beef plants are even eligible to ship to China right now.
Kenzy hopes Trump's tariffs represent a lasting change in U.S. trade policy. So far the tariffs have been changing so much since they were announced that ranchers can鈥檛 count on them yet.
鈥淚f this is just a short-term negotiating tactic 鈥 Tarzan beating his chest 鈥 then I would say that that would be an epic failure because that will not result in reshoring industry,鈥 Kenzy said.
The problem, as Kenzy and other members of the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America see it, is that the more than 4 billion pounds of beef that's imported every year 鈥 along with cattle brought in from other countries to be slaughtered here 鈥 keeps cattle prices lower.
Much of what is imported is lean beef trimmings that meatpackers mix with fattier beef produced here in the United States to produce the varieties of ground beef that domestic consumers want. Even though Trump placed most of his proposed tariffs on hold, the across-the-board 10% tariffs he imposed for 90 days will make imported beef more expensive, so consumers are likely to see the price of hamburger increase.
Even if ranchers decided to raise more cattle to help replace those imports, it would take at least two years to breed and raise them. That means meat processors will likely pay higher prices for that imported beef for at least that long. And the ongoing drought across most of the West will continue to make it difficult to raise more cattle.
Tariffs could cost the average American household an extra $4,700 this year, according to the Budget Lab at Yale.
Plus, if American ranchers want听to produce more of that lean beef they might have to change the way they raise their animals because the entire system in this country is designed to produce fattier meat to get deliciously marbled and tender steaks that help ranchers make the most money.
Kansas State University agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said most of the lean beef America buys comes from Australia and New Zealand where cattle are fed grass 鈥 not grain 鈥 their entire lives, and that's an entirely different system.
The number of cattle being raised across the country has been shrinking for decades to reach the current historic lows of around 28 million, but Texas A&M livestock economist David Anderson said even though that's less than two-thirds of the number of cattle there were in 1975, more beef 鈥 some 26.7 billion pounds 鈥 was actually produced last year. That's because the American beef industry has become so good at feeding cattle and breeding larger animals that now every head of cattle produces more meat. Anderson said that means there's less incentive to expand the herd.
Casey Maher, owner of the Maher Angus Ranch in Morristown, S.D., said he hopes Trump鈥檚 tariffs will level the playing field for American beef producers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e optimistic and we鈥檙e going to stay the course,鈥 said Maher, a third-generation rancher. 鈥淲e鈥檝e gone through tough times, and if it鈥檚 for the greater good, I think ranchers are all in.鈥
How Trump's 2025 tariffs impact e-commerce: What brands need to know and next steps to stay ahead
How Trump's 2025 tariffs impact e-commerce: What brands need to know and next steps to stay ahead
Leveraging its in-house global trade and compliance expertise, breaks down how the April 2 and subsequent tariff announcements are creating new challenges for international e-commerce鈥攁nd what brands can do to adjust their strategies.
The Trump administration has announced major changes to U.S. tariff policy throughout April 2025鈥攎aking waves across global e-commerce. A 10% blanket tariff on all imports, the end of de minimis for China and Hong Kong, and escalating reciprocal tariffs for dozens of countries have created one of the biggest shake-ups in recent trade history.
For e-commerce brands selling internationally, the consequences are already unfolding: higher costs, supply chain disruptions, and stricter customs requirements. According to a recent research survey conducted by Passport in partnership with , 81% of e-commerce decision-makers say shifting tariffs and regulations could put their global strategy at risk.
With the loss of duty-free shipping and greater complexity at the border, brands must quickly rethink pricing, fulfillment, and logistics. Now's the time to take a proactive approach鈥攂efore these changes start cutting into profit margins and affecting customer experience.
Key Trade Policy Updates from the April 2 Announcement
- A 10% blanket tariff applies to all U.S. imports,听except Canada, Mexico, and China as of April 5.
- Country-specific rates are frozen for 90 days. As of April 10, the 10% tariff also applies to countries previously subject to reciprocal tariffs.
- China and Hong Kong are the exception: a 125% reciprocal tariff applies to imports from these markets as of April 10, in addition to the 20% tariff imposed in March for a total 145% tariff; this is in addition to other standard tariffs.
- Postal shipments from China and Hong Kong will be subject to a 120% tariff or $100听per item starting May 2, depending on the valuation method selected by the carrier; the per-item amount increases to $150 on June 1.
- De minimis ends for shipments from China and Hong Kong on May 2.听All goods, regardless of value, will require formal or informal entry.
- The U.S. still plans to eliminate de minimis benefits for all countries once systems are ready to support full enforcement.
Understanding Tariffs and De Minimis
What are Tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods. They're used to generate revenue, protect domestic industries, or influence foreign trade relationships. Most tariffs fall into two categories:
- Ad valorem tariffs are calculated as a percentage of the product's 鈥攆or example, a 10% tariff on a $1,000 item would result in $100 in duties.
听 - Specific tariffs are a fixed amount charged per unit, no matter what the item is worth鈥攆or example, $2 per item, whether it costs $10 or $100.
What is De Minimis?
De minimis refers to the threshold below which imported goods can enter a country duty-free or with simplified customs clearance. For e-commerce brands, this threshold plays a key role in keeping cost-effective, especially for low-value, direct-to-consumer (DTC) orders.
Since 2016, the U.S. de minimis threshold has been $800 per person, per day, offering a significant advantage to e-commerce brands by reducing landed costs and avoiding delays through a simplified customs clearance process.
What's Changing in 2025: De Minimis and Tariff Updates
The trade policy updates announced on April 2 mark a substantial adjustment in how e-commerce imports are taxed and processed at the border. Brands that ship globally need to keep up with these critical developments to avoid added costs and issues.
De Minimis Is Ending
The U.S. government has confirmed plans to eliminate the de minimis exemption for all countries once customs systems are equipped to support full enforcement. For now, the most immediate changes apply to shipments from China and Hong Kong:
- May 2: for all goods from China and Hong Kong鈥攕hipments of any value will require formal customs entry and duties. Postal shipments will be subject to a 120% tariff or $100听per item, depending on the valuation method selected by the carrier.
- June 1: The flat-rate postal tariff increases to $150 per item (up from the previous $100听rate)
These updates phase out a long-standing cost-saving tool for DTC brands shipping low-value parcels and are expected to significantly increase landed costs for many e-commerce businesses.
New Tariff Rules Taking Effect
Alongside the end of de minimis benefits, a series of new tariffs are being introduced in phases鈥攕ome of which are already in effect, with more to come in the weeks ahead.
- A 10% blanket tariff applies to all U.S. imports as of April 5, except Canada, Mexico, and China, which are handled separately.
- The 10% rate also applies to countries previously designated for 鈥攖丑别 are frozen for 90 days as of April.
- Imports from China and Hong Kong are subject to a 125% tariff effective April 10, in addition to the 20% tariff imposed in March and any other standard tariffs that apply.听Smartphones, computers, monitors, routers, and some electronics for now.
How Will the April 2025 Tariffs Impact E-commerce Brands?
For merchants, the implications of these new tariffs and the end of de minimis will depend heavily on sourcing, fulfillment models, and shipping strategy. Understanding how these policy updates affect different business types is key to identifying the right operational adjustments.
1. Brands Shipping China-Made Products Directly to the U.S.
What to Expect:
- A 125% reciprocal听tariff effective April 10鈥攐n top of the 20% in additional tariffs introduced earlier this year, as well as any previously existing duties that may still apply
- The end of de minimis on May 2, removing duty-free entry for low-value shipments
- Postal shipments from China will be subject to duties beginning May 2, with a rate of 120% or $100听per item鈥攊ncreasing to $150 per item on June 1
Biggest Challenges:
- Rising landed costs on low-value, high-volume shipments
- Increased customs complexity and longer clearance times
- Pressure to increase prices or change fulfillment strategies
2. Brands Shipping China-Made Products but Fulfilling From the U.S.
What to Expect:
- Higher import costs when bringing inventory into the U.S. from China
- Fluctuating freight costs as carriers respond to shifting demand鈥攊ncluding early spikes as brands rush to reposition inventory, followed by potential drop-offs
Biggest Challenges:
- Balancing higher U.S. duties with continued cross-border shipping costs
- Need for more agile fulfillment options across North America
- Maintaining predictable landed costs to support consistent pricing strategies
3. U.S.-Made Products Shipped to Canada and Mexico
What to Expect:
- Canada's 25% on select U.S.-origin goods is now in effect, as of March 4
- Mexico may impose similar tariffs depending on future U.S. policy moves
Biggest Challenges:
- Uncertainty around tariff timing and enforcement
- Potential impact on price competitiveness in North American markets
4. Brands Sourcing Outside of China (e.g., Vietnam, India)
What to Expect:
- Continued access to the U.S. $800 de minimis鈥攆or now (though bulk imports are subject to reciprocal tariffs, including 10% for Vietnam and India)
- A planned global phaseout of the de minimis exemption once systems are in place
Biggest Challenges:
- Uncertainty around how long de minimis benefits will last
- Need for long-term contingency plans around sourcing and shipping models
What to Do Next: Smart Moves for E-commerce Brands
Whether importing from China, fulfilling regionally, or managing multiple international markets, there are steps every e-commerce brand can take now to stay ahead of these changes.
1. Adjust Pricing and Duty Calculations
Make sure your storefront reflects new tariffs and duties clearly鈥攅ither built into product pricing or broken out at checkout.
2. Consolidate Shipments Where Possible
Reduce brokerage fees and customs processing costs for orders that are not eligible for de minimis exemption听by bundling orders into formal entries instead of multiple low-value shipments鈥攅specially as de minimis thresholds disappear.
3. Review Your Import Strategy
Evaluate whether a "first sale" valuationfor U.S. imports (where duties are based on the price paid to the original manufacturer) could help lower your duty liability. This method requires careful compliance with documentation, export designation, and proof of bona fide sales.
4. Shift to In-Country Fulfillment
Reduce tariff exposure and delivery delays by warehousing inventory within your key markets. In-country fulfillment can improve customer experience and shield your brand from ongoing cross-border disruptions.
5. Optimize Country of Origin and Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classifications
Review your sourcing countries and product design to minimize duties and take advantage of preferential trade agreements where applicable. Accurate Harmonized System (HS) codes and country of origin documentation are essential for compliance and long-term cost savings.
6. File for Duty Drawback on Exports
If you're re-exporting goods that were taxed at import, you may be eligible to recover duties paid. Duty drawback allows merchants to recover 99% of duties and fees paid on goods that are imported and then subsequently exported in the same condition.听This can also apply to raw materials and packaging that are imported into the U.S. and used to manufacture a finished product.
Navigating an Evolving Era of E-commerce
The April tariff changes mark a turning point for cross-border e-commerce. As tariffs rise and de minimis benefits disappear, brands must rethink their global strategies to protect profitability. Success in this new environment will depend on operational flexibility, smarter fulfillment models, and a clear understanding of international trade dynamics.
To keep up with these changes, provides real-time updates on policy announcements, tariff shifts, and expert insights into what they mean for global commerce. It's a practical resource for following developments as they unfold鈥攁nd for understanding how they could shape the future of international selling.
In a more complex and regulated trade environment, long-term success will belong to brands that stay informed, adapt early, and plan ahead.
Methodology
This article includes findings from an online survey conducted by Drive Research in partnership with Passport. The study surveyed 100 U.S.-based e-commerce decision-makers between Feb. 13 and March 7, 2025, to assess global expansion plans, regulatory concerns, and operational challenges. The results carry a margin of error of 卤10% at a 95% confidence level.
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
