Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs have created the most uncertain trading environment in decades. With multiple postponed deadlines and ongoing court cases, Swedish companies trading with the US risk significantly higher costs and administrative burdens.
Donald Trump's new tariffs in 2025 have brought about the biggest change to US tariff policy in over a century. Trump's tariff increases are now affecting Swedish companies that import from or export to the US in a way that few saw coming. With Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs introduced in April 2025, followed by extensive changes and postponed deadlines, Swedish companies are facing a completely new reality when it comes to trade with the US.
From universal 10% tariffs to reciprocal rates of up to 50% for certain countries – Trump's tariff policy 2025 requires Swedish companies to quickly adapt their strategies to avoid costly mistakes and increased import costs.
What are Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs?
On April 2, 2025, Trump declared “Liberation Day” and signed sweeping new tariffs that would take effect just days later. The tariffs, based on a “national emergency” to address the US trade deficit, imposed a universal 10% base tariff on all imported goods from April 5, followed by higher “reciprocal” (so-called retaliatory tariffs) on 57 countries from April 9.
These were not just regular tariffs, but Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to push through the changes quickly, allowing tariffs of up to 104% on certain Chinese products.
Trump's tariffs are constantly changing with postponed deadlines
What followed can only be described as chaotic. On April 9, Trump backed away from parts of his plan, pausing reciprocal tariffs for 90 days while lowering tariffs to 101% of 3% for almost all countries. Since then, the deadlines have been pushed back several times:
- April-July 2025: Repeated postponements and changes
- July 2025: Trump sent letters to many countries with new tariff rates that would take effect on August 1, 2025
- August 2025: New orders signed to resume reciprocal tariffs from August 7, but with a 90-day break for Mexican goods
Many media outlets have started calling this the “TACO pattern,”
"Trump Always Chickens Out"
which refers to how deadlines are constantly being pushed forward.
Trump's dramatic letter to the EU
In July 2025, tensions escalated when Trump sent a formal letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “The United States has agreed to continue working with the European Union, despite having one of our largest trade deficits with you. However, we have decided to move forward, but only with more balanced and fair TRADE,” Trump wrote in the letter, which he posted on Truth Social.
The letter threatened 30% tariffs on all EU goods from August 1 if no trade deal was reached in time. Von der Leyen’s response was clear: “Imposing 30% tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” she explained in a statement, while stressing the EU’s readiness to take “proportionate countermeasures if necessary.”
The dramatic exchange of letters ultimately led to a hasty meeting at Trump's golf course in Scotland on July 27, where the parties reached an agreement on 15% of tariffs instead of the threatened 30%. Still a significant increase for Swedish companies trading with the US via the EU.
Latest developments: Canada is punished the most and several countries receive a reprieve
Hours before the deadline, Donald Trump signed a new tariff order that means Canada now faces a tariff rate of 35 percent on many goods exported to the United States. However, exceptions are made for products already covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The tariffs on Canada will take effect on August 1, 2025, while increased tariffs for several other countries have been further postponed and will only come into effect on August 7.
At the press conference, Trump said: “They have treated our country very badly for many years.”
In addition to Canada, Switzerland has also received a new high tariff rate on 39 percent, and against Brazil is introduced 50 percent on certain goods. The highest tariffs now apply to Syria with 41 percentFor the EU, a tariff level of 15 percentFor many countries that have not yet received a notification, a general tariff of at least 10 percent, according to the White House.
However, there is still time for new negotiations with the US until August 7 for most countries. For China, special talks are underway and a tariff of 30 percent on many goods, with a deadline set for it August 12.
Courts challenge Trump's tariffs: Legal battle underway
The tariffs have also encountered legal problems. On May 28, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority under IEEPA when he imposed the “Liberation Day” tariffs and declared them invalid. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a stay while it considered the government’s appeal, leaving the tariffs in place.
This creates legal uncertainty that makes it difficult for companies to plan long-term.
Which countries are affected by Trump's tariffs?
Basic duties: 10% duty on all countries that do not have specific agreements
Current tariff rates (August 2025)
- Canada: 35% (from August 1)
- EU: 15% after trade agreement (for goods with previous duty under 15%)
- Japanese: 15% after trade agreement
- Switzerland: 39%
- Brazil: 10% (lowered from previous levels)
- Syria: 41% (highest rate)
- China: 30% under ongoing negotiations
- UK: 10%
- South Korea: 15%
- India: 25%
Sector-specific tariffs:
- Steel, aluminum and copper: 50%
- Cars: 25%
- Additional tariffs planned for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and other sectors
Link to White House press release.
How Swedish companies are affected
1. Direct cost increases when exporting to the US
If you export to the US, your products will now be more expensive for American customers due to tariffs. A Swedish product that previously cost American importers $100 may now cost:
- 110 dollars (10% base duty for many countries)
- 115 dollars (15% for Swedish companies via the EU agreement)
- $125 (25% for certain sectors like steel/aluminum)
2. Import challenges from the US
Swedish companies importing from the US are not directly affected by these tariffs, but may experience:
- Higher prices if American suppliers compensate through price increases
- Delivery delays due to increased administration
- Uncertainty about future price developments
3. Supply chains are affected globally
Even if you don't trade directly with the US, your suppliers may be affected. Components and raw materials manufactured in countries with high tariffs may become more expensive or be delayed when exported to US customers.
4. Administrative complexity is increasing
Trump's tariff policy has created a complex situation with:
- Constantly changing tariff rates and deadlines
- Different rules for different countries and product categories
- Need for expert knowledge to understand rules of origin
- Risk of misclassification and penalties
- Special rules for "transshipping"with 40% penalty"
What is transshipping?
This means that goods are sent via an intermediate country to avoid high tariffs. Example: Chinese products that go via Vietnam to appear as Vietnamese and receive lower tariffs. Trump has imposed a 40% penalty for goods that are discovered to be transshipped, even unintentional errors can be very expensive for Swedish companies.
5. Uncertainty affects planning
Administrative uncertainty and constantly changing regulations make budgeting and planning difficult. Many companies report that they are forced to:
- Maintain larger cash reserves for unexpected expenses
- Renegotiating contracts with American customers
- Seeking alternative markets outside the US
- Invest in customs expertise to navigate the complexity
Expert analysis of Trump's tariffs: What does it mean for Swedish companies?
Richard Coster, founder of Tullify and expert with 17 years of experience in the customs industry, explains:
"This is the most complicated customs situation I have seen in my 17 years in the industry. Many Swedish companies have contacted us in a panic when they realized that their American business could become 20-30% more expensive overnight. What is particularly tricky is that the rules change so often, it is not enough to do an analysis once, you have to stay updated every week."
Johan Månsson, founder of Tullify with 14 years of industry expertise, adds:
“We see many companies getting caught up in the details and forgetting the big picture. Trump can push a deadline today and change the tariff rate tomorrow. The most important thing is to have flexibility in your agreements and a customs partner that can react quickly when the rules change. We have seen companies save hundreds of thousands of kronor just by classifying their products correctly or finding alternative supply chains.”
How to deal with Trump's tariffs: Concrete measures for Swedish companies
Short-term measures
Map your risks: Check which of your products have HS codes that are affected by the new tariffs. “This is critically important and needs to be done quickly,” explains Richard. “Many companies discover too late that their main product is subject to the highest tariffs.”
Update price estimates: Recalculate your margins based on the new tariff rates. Remember that tariffs can change at short notice.
Communicate with customers: Inform customers early about any price increases so they can plan.
Long-term strategies
Diversify the supply chain: Investigate alternative suppliers in countries not affected by the highest tariffs.
Consider proximity production: For some products, it may be profitable to produce closer to the end market.
Invest in customs expertise: “With this complexity, it makes sense to have access to customs expertise that can quickly help when customs rates change overnight,” says Johan. “We help companies not only survive the changes, but actually find competitive advantages through smart customs management.”
Plan for multiple scenarios: Because regulations change so frequently, companies should plan for different tariff levels and have contingency plans.
Stay updated: Subscribe to updates from the Swedish Customs and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Document everything: Accurate documentation becomes even more important when tariff rates are high and regulations are complicated.
Tullify's recommendations for uncertain times
Together, Richard and Johan have helped hundreds of Swedish companies navigate customs changes, and their advice is clear:
“Don’t try to handle this yourself,” warns Richard. “We see companies losing hundreds of thousands of kronor on incorrect customs declarations or missing out on opportunities for lower duties through better classification. It always costs less to do it right the first time than to correct mistakes later.”
Johan adds: “The important thing is to have a partner who follows developments closely. Speed has become crucial in recent months.”
Trump's tariffs affect trade: Where is US tariff policy headed?
Customs revenues have increased sharply, with $28 billion collected in June 2025, more than four times as much as the same month the previous year. But the trade deficit has actually increased, from $475 billion in May 2024 to $650 billion in May 2025.
This shows that tariffs may not achieve their stated goal of reducing the trade deficit, while creating significant costs for businesses and consumers.
Does your company need help navigating the new customs regulations?
Richard and Johan at Tullify have over 30 years of combined experience helping Swedish companies navigate complex customs changes. We can quickly analyze how new customs duties will affect your business and find the most cost-effective solutions.
“No one should have to lose money because of confusing customs regulations,” says Richard. “We make the complicated simple so companies can focus on what they do best, selling their products.”
Contact us for a quick review of your risks, opportunities and guarantee that you will receive expert help from day one.