Flexport Experts Sound the Alarm on a New Tariff Wave in 2026
Importers hoping for a period of calm in the U.S. trade environment may be disappointed. Executives and customs specialists at Flexport, one of the leading supply chain management and logistics providers in the world, are warning that a fresh round of tariffs could land before existing duties even have the chance to expire. The result, they say, could be a seamless continuation of trade pressure on global supply chains, with little to no breathing room for businesses that import goods into the United States.
These insights came during Flexport's webinar titled "Tariff Trends 2026: Expert Insights on the Evolving U.S. Tariff Landscape," held on Tuesday, where customs and trade policy professionals outlined a rapidly shifting regulatory picture that importers cannot afford to ignore. From forced labor-linked Section 301 tariffs to ongoing litigation under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the complexity of navigating U.S. trade policy has rarely been greater.
What Is Driving the New Tariff Pressure?
According to Flexport's team, several distinct policy developments are converging at once, creating a layered and unpredictable tariff landscape. The major forces currently in play include:
- Proposed Section 301 tariffs linked to forced labor concerns, which could be introduced to replace duties that are scheduled to expire in the coming weeks.
- Changes to Section 232 metal tariffs, which affect steel, aluminum, and other industrial metals imported from key trading partners including Canada and Mexico.
- Uncertainty surrounding the upcoming USMCA review milestone on July 1 and what, if anything, it will actually change for cross-border trade.
- Continued legal battles over tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, whose future remains tied to ongoing court proceedings.
Each of these threads, individually, would be enough to keep trade compliance teams busy. Together, they represent one of the most complex policy environments importers have faced in recent memory — and Flexport's experts are urging businesses to prepare now rather than wait for the dust to settle.
USMCA Review: A July 1 Deal Is Looking Unlikely
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is due for a scheduled review on July 1, 2026, and many in the trade community had hoped the milestone might bring clarity or even relief for importers operating across North American borders. However, Marcus Eeman, Director of Customs at Flexport, poured cold water on those expectations.
"The July 1 deal is looking unlikely, but benefits continue," Eeman said during the webinar. He clarified that USMCA preferences — the trade advantages that businesses rely on when moving goods between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — will remain in effect even if negotiators fail to reach new agreements this summer. That is a modest piece of good news amid an otherwise uncertain picture, but it should not be confused with stability.
The sticking points in USMCA negotiations reflect deeper structural tensions between the three countries. The United States is pushing for stronger U.S.-specific labor content requirements, particularly within the automotive manufacturing sector, an industry that has been at the center of North American trade policy debates for years. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico are pushing back, demanding relief from Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other metals. Both countries have argued that such duties run fundamentally counter to the spirit of a free trade agreement — a point that has generated significant friction at the negotiating table.
Forced Labor Tariffs: The Most Significant New Threat
Perhaps the most consequential development discussed during the Flexport webinar involves a proposed Section 301 tariff program specifically tied to forced labor concerns. This is not a minor technical adjustment. If implemented, these tariffs could serve as a direct replacement for expiring Section 122 duties, meaning that importers expecting relief from those lapsing measures may instead find themselves facing a new set of costs arriving almost immediately.
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 gives the U.S. Trade Representative broad authority to impose tariffs in response to unfair foreign trade practices. Tying new Section 301 measures to forced labor concerns adds both a legal and a reputational dimension for importers, particularly those sourcing goods from regions where forced labor allegations have been raised. Companies would need to demonstrate supply chain due diligence not only to manage costs but to avoid potential compliance violations altogether.
This is a critical area to watch closely over the coming weeks, as the timing of any new tariff announcement relative to the expiration of existing duties could have immediate and significant implications for import costs and supply chain planning.
IEEPA Litigation: A Wild Card in the Tariff Picture
Adding yet another layer of complexity is the unresolved legal status of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. IEEPA tariffs have been challenged in court, and the outcome of that litigation could alter the tariff landscape significantly — but timing remains deeply uncertain. Until courts reach final decisions, importers must plan around tariffs that may or may not remain in force, a reality that makes long-term supply chain planning extremely difficult.
What Importers Should Do Right Now
Given the pace and complexity of change in U.S. trade policy, Flexport's message is clear: waiting is not a strategy. Businesses that import goods into the United States should be taking concrete steps immediately to protect their operations and bottom lines.
- Audit your supply chain for exposure to Section 301, Section 232, and IEEPA tariffs and identify which product categories are most at risk.
- Review your USMCA qualification status and ensure your documentation is current, since preferences will continue even without a new July 1 deal.
- Monitor forced labor compliance throughout your supplier network, particularly if you source from regions under heightened scrutiny.
- Work with licensed customs brokers and trade attorneys to model cost scenarios under different tariff outcomes, so your business can respond quickly regardless of which direction policy moves.
- Stay engaged with credible sources of trade policy intelligence, including Flexport's ongoing webinar series and official government announcements from the USTR and Commerce Department.
The Bottom Line: Pressure Is Not Going Away
The message from Flexport's customs and trade experts is sobering but important. Despite hopes that the current wave of tariffs might ease as certain duties expire, the reality is that new policy tools are being lined up to take their place. Between proposed forced labor-linked Section 301 tariffs, unresolved USMCA negotiations, lingering Section 232 metal duties, and IEEPA litigation outcomes still pending, the pressure on global supply chains shows no sign of meaningful relief in the near term.
For importers, the path forward requires vigilance, flexibility, and proactive planning. The companies that will navigate this environment most successfully are those investing now in compliance infrastructure, strategic sourcing diversification, and expert trade counsel — rather than hoping the next policy headline brings good news. In today's trade climate, hope is not a supply chain strategy.