DeLauro Welcomes Trump Administration’s Overdue Closure of De Minimis Import Loophole
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the House Democratic Trade Working Group, issued the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s recent executive order closing the de minimis import loophole worldwide:
“I have fought to end tax-free shipping of cheap foreign goods for years. This is a matter of national competitiveness and national security. When 4 million packages per day are allowed to flood U.S. markets with no inspection and no taxes, it puts American businesses at a severe disadvantage and allows drug traffickers to smuggle dangerous substances into the country.
“President Trump’s first attempt to ban de minimis treatment was paused, then restricted to just a few countries, allowing foreign firms to side-step the requirements. All of this caused mass confusion and allowed foreign shipments to continue entering our country.
“To implement this overdue Executive Order, which finally ends de minimis on a global level, I urge President Trump to build a comprehensive legal foundation to survive the inevitable lobbying and lawsuits by big shipping companies, including invoking Section 321of the Tariff Act of 1930. The Trump Administration must also invest in customs enforcement capability, and support Congressional action to make this policy change permanent.
“American businesses deserve an even playing field. Congress and the White House must work together to make sure it stays that way.”
Background:
Congresswoman DeLauro has pushed for de minimis reform under Republican and Democratic administrations, and as leader of the House Democratic Trade Working Group.
On February 29, 2024, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led 40 lawmakers in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas urging the Secretary to provide an enforcement plan to address illegal custom practices that undercut American competitiveness and violate international trade and labor laws.
On September 11, 2024, Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) released a letter signed by 126 House Democrats calling on President Biden to use executive authority to end the dangerous de minimis loophole and protect Americans from its growing dangers.
On January 16, 2025, Representative DeLauro released a letter she sent to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team urging them to continue the Biden Administration’s efforts to close the de minimis trade loophole.
On February 13, 2025, Representative Rosa DeLauro hosted a virtual press conference with advocates including the National Council of Textile Organizations urging President Trump to implement a deliberate and comprehensive strategy for de minimis application, following multiple policy reversals from the White House.
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