Trump cheers as court upholds his elimination of 'de minimis' tariff exemptions

President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated a "big win" as the U.S. Court of International Trade upheld his elimination of the "de minimis" tariff exemption on items under $800.

"BIG WIN today at the U.S. Court of International Trade on one of the most DESPICABLE loopholes in American Trade Policy — The so-called 'de minimis' exemption," he posted on Truth Social. "For years, Foreign Shippers could send packages worth up to $800 into our Country, DUTY FREE, NO TARIFF, far less scrutiny. It became a giant loophole for TARIFF Cheats — and a Pipeline exploited by Fentanyl Traffickers, Counterfeiters, and other Criminals shipping dangerous and illegal products into America."

"In 2024 alone, de minimis cost America an estimated 10.8 BILLION DOLLRS in foregone TARIFF Revenue, and an astonishing share of narcotics and counterfeit seizures came through the de minimis channel. So, we CLOSED IT," he added. "With the stroke of my mighty pen — NO AUTOPEN!!! — we ended this ridiculous giveaway, and made Foreign Goods play by the rules. The Importers sued. Today, THEY LOST. The Court ruled that the President had the Legal Authority to rescind this so-called 'privilege.'"

The de minimis elimination saw a group of importers sue to restore the exemption. Earlier this year, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro warned that members of Congress were working to reinstate the de minimis exception under another name.

Navarro called the exemption a "deep swamp scam" and contended that delivery services wanted to circumvent Trump's tariffs.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.