Knowledge Tree
non-tariff barriers
Also known as: non-tariff barriers, nontariff barriers
Facts (17)
Sources
Tracking Trump's Trade Deals | Council on Foreign Relations cfr.org Mar 17, 2026 13 facts
quoteThe Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) stated: "The U.S.-Thailand Agreement will lower non-tariff barriers facing American businesses and industries, from issuing import permits for U.S. ethanol for fuel to accepting U.S. certificates for medical devices and pharmaceuticals."
referenceThe U.S.-Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade was announced on October 26, 2025, with the stated objective to “enhance reciprocity in their bilateral trade relationship by addressing tariff and nontariff barriers,” and “strengthen their commercial relationship through increased alignment on national and regional economic security matters.”
claimBangladesh agreed to address nontariff barriers regarding food and drug standards, medical devices, motor vehicle emissions, and pharmaceuticals as part of the U.S.-Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.
perspectiveThe U.S.-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade places the burden of adjusting to nontariff barriers on Indonesia, requiring Indonesia to exempt U.S. companies from local content requirements and accept U.S. motor vehicle, emissions, and agricultural standards, which represents an asymmetrical approach to regulatory cooperation not typical of past U.S. trade agreements.
claimMalaysia agreed to work with the United States to address nontariff barriers.
claimIndonesia committed to reducing nontariff barriers, including providing a broad exemption from halal certification and labeling for U.S. cosmetics, medical devices, and other manufactured goods.
claimIndia agreed to address nontariff barriers on U.S. medical devices and food and agricultural products, and to eliminate restrictive import licensing procedures that delay or impose quantitative restrictions on U.S. ICT goods such as electronics and communication equipment.
claimThe United States and the United Kingdom have committed to addressing nontariff barriers to trade, including health and safety regulations, standard interoperability through mutual recognition agreements, and cooperation on the development of international standards.
quoteUSTR Ambassador Greer stated, “Malaysia, for its part, will modify its tariffs and nontariff barriers, and we intend to have a lot more trade in ag, industry, and technology and services.”
perspectiveJoshua Kurlantzick, CFR senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia, stated: “The Indonesia deal commits Jakarta to roll back a number of significant nontariff barriers in a move that defies its traditionally protectionist approach … while Jakarta, Manila, and Tokyo have taken home what they portray as tariff ‘wins,’ their deals are massively unpopular with their respective publics.”
claimThe Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade with North Macedonia contains no commitments on nontariff barriers, other than a commitment to work to address certain Macedonian barriers in unidentified “priority areas” and to hold “consultations” to address barriers to U.S. agricultural products.
quoteAmerican Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland stated: “We appreciate President Trump and his administration’s efforts in maintaining market access for U.S. soybeans into Indonesia, and the commitment from USTR [the office of the U.S. Trade Representative] to address nontariff barriers in that market.”
claimSimilar to the trade deal with the UK, the U.S.-EU framework commits both parties to addressing nontariff trade barriers, improving the interoperability of standards and regulations, and cooperating on international standards development.
Transatlantic Trade, the Trump Disruption and the World ... - ECPS populismstudies.org Jan 20, 2026 2 facts
accountEarlier GATT/WTO negotiations successfully lowered global tariffs, but many non-tariff barriers remained in place.
claimDonald Trump required US trading partners to submit individual concessions—such as greater market access for US exports, elimination of non-tariff barriers, and foreign investment in US manufacturing—to avoid unilateral tariffs and gain US import market access.
Tariffs and Protectionism - Economic Research Council ercouncil.org Apr 4, 2025 1 fact
claimNations have increasingly utilized non-tariff barriers (NTBs), including quotas, regulatory standards, and subsidies, to protect domestic industries after tariffs declined in developed economies.
What is Trump's 'America First' trade policy agenda? | Brookings brookings.edu Jan 21, 2026 1 fact
claimIn negotiations with trading partners seeking relief from reciprocal duties, the United States has pressed for changes to policies it believes unfairly impede reciprocity in market access for U.S. goods, including reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers.