U.S. Commerce Adds 400+ HTS Codes to Section 232 Tariffs Effective August 18, Imposing 50% Duties on Truck Trailers, Laundry Machines

On August 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce expanded Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs by adding over 400 new HTS codes, impacting a broad range of goods including truck trailers and laundry machines, which will now face 50% tariffs according to new guidance from Customs and Border Protection effective that Monday. This development has raised concerns about increased criminal and civil enforcement related to tariff compliance. Legal and trade experts have provided updates on tariff impacts for inbound ocean supply chains and mitigation strategies. Concurrently, regulatory updates include the August 2025 AI Law Center reports, discussions on Illinois AI regulations transitioning oversight from federal to state levels, and the implications of the European Accessibility Act for U.S. companies with customers in the EU. Additional legal updates cover China’s monthly antitrust developments, California environmental law and policy changes as of August 15, 2025, and the EU Digital Markets Act's influence on AI. These developments reflect ongoing adjustments in trade, technology, and regulatory frameworks amid evolving global and domestic policies.