Host: Cindy Allen
Published: October 3, 2025
Length: ~13 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center
The Life of a Trade Girl: Shutdowns, Tariffs, and the Struggle of Country of Origin
In this week’s episode, Cindy Allen draws inspiration from Taylor Swift’s brand-new album The Life of a Show Girl—and reimagines it as The Life of a Trade Girl. With new Section 232 tariffs on lumber, cabinets, and vanities, plus looming duties on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, Cindy unpacks why navigating layered tariffs and multiple country-of-origin rules has trade professionals feeling the weight of confusion.
From the ongoing government shutdown to CBP’s enforcement posture and the uncertainty surrounding free trade agreements, this episode highlights both the resilience and the frustration of today’s trade community.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How the current government shutdown is affecting CBP operations and other government agencies
New Section 232 duties effective October 14 on lumber, kitchen cabinets, and vanities
The administration’s delayed rollout of 232 duties on pharmaceuticals and medical devices
The role of exemptions for companies breaking ground on U.S. manufacturing facilities
Why brand-name vs. generic pharmaceuticals will matter for tariff application
How Ireland and Switzerland could be most affected by pharmaceutical tariffs
The growing complexity of country-of-origin determinations across:
• HTS reporting
• Free trade agreement qualification
• Section 232 applicability
• Multi-layered duties on aluminum and steel
Why brokers and importers are struggling with multiple overlapping tariff annexes
Key Takeaways:
CBP trade processing is continuing with minimal disruption despite the shutdown, though delays may occur with other government agency inspections.
Importers face new uncertainty as layered tariffs create multiple, conflicting country-of-origin determinations.
Pharmaceutical tariffs remain unclear, but exemptions may apply for U.S.-based or expanding manufacturers.
Ireland and Switzerland are key pharmaceutical exporters likely to be heavily impacted.
Customs brokers must navigate increasingly complex 232 annexes, requiring spreadsheets and case-by-case analysis.
Resources & Mentions:
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Producer:
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Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.
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