Global trade in 2026 is facing a wave of uncertainty as tariffs continue to shift and evolve. For U.S. importers, this means navigating rising costs, changing regulations, and an overall lack of consistency in trade policy.

Chinese New Year 2026 begins on February 17th, marking one of the most significant annual disruptions to global supply chains. Each year, factories across China and parts of Asia close for 2–3 weeks as workers return home to celebrate. However, the impact extends far beyond the holiday itself. Production slowdowns typically begin one to two weeks prior to the official holiday and can linger weeks after factories reopen due to labor shortages and backlogged orders.

President Donald Trump announced this week that the United States will reduce the reciprocal tariff rate applied to goods imported from India from 25% to 18%, signaling a notable shift in U.S.–India trade relations.

President Trump announced on January 26, 2026, that the United States will reinstate 25% tariffs on select imports from South Korea, reversing the previously reduced 15% rate that had been applied under a provisional trade agreement framework.

U.S. importers are facing an important compliance deadline in early 2026, just as global supply chains experience one of their most impactful annual slowdowns. Beginning February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will transition to issuing all customs refunds electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH), eliminating paper checks except in very limited circumstances.

On December 15th, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that importers do not need to immediately file lawsuits to preserve potential refunds of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court confirmed it retains authority to order reliquidation and refunds, even after entries have liquidated, if the tariffs are later ruled unlawful. While litigation is not required at this time, importers are still advised to file protests at liquidation as a protective measure.

Mexico has introduced a significant shift in its trade policy landscape, approving new tariffs of up to 50% on more than 1,400 categories of Chinese and other Asian imports. These measures, covering industries such as automotive, electronics, steel, plastics, and textiles are scheduled to take effect in early 2026 and represent one of the most consequential tariff actions in the region this year.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a high-priority notification to the trade community reporting that newly escalated protests in Mexico are directly impacting commercial cargo operations across multiple U.S. ports of entry within the El Paso, Texas, region. These demonstrations have created operational obstacles affecting both northbound and southbound freight, with impacts already being felt throughout the border network.

As we close out the year, global trade conditions continue to shift, and Radius International is committed to keeping our clients fully informed and prepared. December brings a combination of evolving tariff policies, heightened holiday demand, and seasonal weather impacts that importers and exporters should be aware of as they plan their logistics strategies.