President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Sunday amending his administration’s tariff strategy to combat illegal activity at the U.S.-Mexico border, fine-tuning duty-free exemptions to enhance revenue collection while maintaining pressure on smuggling networks.
The order, titled “Amendment to Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border,” builds on earlier February directives, aligning with Trump’s aggressive border security push amid a historic drop in illegal crossings.
READ: Trump Amends Northern Border Drug Crackdown, Tweaks Duty-Free Rules
Invoking powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the National Emergencies Act, and the Trade Act of 1974, Trump revised Section 2(g) of Executive Order 14194—first signed February 1 and tweaked February 3.
The update keeps duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 for “covered articles” like border-related goods, but ties its end to a Commerce Department certification. Once Secretary Howard Lutnick notifies Trump that systems can “fully and expeditiously process and collect tariff revenue” on these items, the exemption ceases—a move to close gaps exploited by traffickers without disrupting trade prematurely.
“This is about locking down the border while keeping commerce smart,” a White House official said anonymously, tying it to Trump’s broader crackdown. Days after deploying 3,000 troops to the southern border and amending northern border duties, this order reflects a dual-front tariff offensive against illicit flows—chiefly drugs like fentanyl, which killed over 70,000 Americans last year per CDC data. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported February’s 8,326 apprehensions as the lowest ever, down 95% from 189,913 a year prior, crediting Trump’s policies.
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The original February 1 order slapped duties on suspect goods to fund security and deter smuggling, with February 3 refining targets. Sunday’s tweak ensures duty-free perks—capping imports at $800 per shipment—persist until Commerce can handle the load, balancing enforcement with trade realities.
Critics warn of potential trade friction with Mexico, a key partner, but the administration insists it’s surgical. “We’re hitting the bad actors, not the good ones,” the official added.
General provisions protect agency powers and budget roles, dodging legal challenges by clarifying no new rights are created.
With crossings at record lows and troops bolstering the line, Trump’s latest move—mirroring a northern border tweak Saturday—signals unrelenting focus on border control.
Commerce now holds the reins, with no set deadline, as the White House bets tariffs plus boots on the ground will keep the “invasion” at bay, as Trump declared on Truth Social Saturday. Mexico watches warily as the tariff clock ticks.
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