1. Historical Context of US-Israel Trade Relations
On April 22, 1985, a significant economic partnership was formalized when the United States and Israel signed the Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area, commonly known as the USIFTA. This agreement, which Congress ratified through the United States–Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985, laid the groundwork for reciprocal trade benefits between the two nations. Specifically, Section 4(b) of the Act empowers the President to adjust tariffs and duties to ensure the mutual advantages outlined in the USIFTA are upheld. To reinforce agricultural trade, the U.S. entered into a separate agreement on July 27, 2004, covering specified agricultural products from 2004 to 2008, aptly named the “2004 Agreement.”
2. Proclamations and Extensions of Agricultural Trade Agreements
In Proclamation 7826, issued on October 4, 2004, the President recognized the importance of maintaining favorable trade concessions with Israel, thereby extending duty-free access for select agricultural products until December 31, 2008. From 2008 through 2024, the U.S. and Israel engaged in annual agreements to prolong the terms of the 2004 Agreement, allowing for additional negotiations for a more permanent solution. Notably, this involved a series of proclamations under Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden, each facilitating the continuation of duty-free access for specified agricultural imports from Israel on an annual basis.
3. Recent Developments in Agricultural Trade Agreements
Fast forward to April 22, 1985, when the U.S. and Israel reaffirmed their trade commitments through the USIFTA. The agreement’s framework, as outlined in the USIFTA Implementation Act, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping agricultural trade dynamics. In a bid to adapt to evolving trade needs, the U.S. entered into a new agreement with Israel on December 1, 2025, aimed at making the modifications to the 2004 Agreement permanent. This agreement further extends duty-free access for specific agricultural products until December 31, 2026, reflecting a commitment to sustaining the reciprocal trade relationship.
4. Technical Adjustments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
On December 4, 2025, the U.S. and Israel agreed on additional terms to maintain the 2004 Agreement while preparing for permanent modifications. In line with Section 4(b) of the USIFTA Implementation Act, the President has determined that to sustain advantageous trade concessions, certain agricultural products from Israel will continue to enjoy duty-free access through the end of 2026. This decision underscores the ongoing strategic partnership between the U.S. and Israel in the agricultural sector.
5. The United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA)
On May 6, 2003, the United States and Singapore established a new era of trade through the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA), ratified by Congress in 2004. This agreement empowers the President to adjust tariffs and duties necessary to implement its provisions effectively. Proclamation 7747, dated December 30, 2003, laid the groundwork for tariff modifications and rules of origin under the USSFTA, ensuring that trade flows smoothly between the two nations.
6. Rectifying Tariff Classification Errors
Despite the best-laid plans, Proclamation 7747 contained some technical errors concerning tariff classifications under the harmonized system. Recognizing these discrepancies, the President has mandated further adjustments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to ensure clarity and accuracy in tariff classifications.
7. The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (USKFTA)
On June 30, 2007, the United States and the Republic of Korea signed the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (USKFTA), a significant step toward enhancing economic ties. Proclamation 8783, issued on March 6, 2012, implemented the USKFTA, establishing necessary tariff reductions and rules of origin to facilitate trade between the U.S. and Korea.
8. Modifications Reflecting International Trade Standards
In light of global trade dynamics, Proclamation 8771, issued on December 29, 2011, amended the HTSUS to align with updates to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. This is part of a broader effort to ensure U.S. trade practices remain robust and competitive in the international arena.
9. Addressing Technical Discrepancies
Proclamation 9072, dated December 23, 2013, identified and corrected a technical error related to tariff classifications under the HTSUS, further illustrating the government’s commitment to maintaining an accurate and effective trade system.
10. Implementing African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Provisions
Proclamation 8114, issued on March 19, 2007, established new tariff categories to implement provisions of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Further modifications followed to ensure that these categories accurately reflect the evolving landscape of international trade.
11. Ensuring Consistency in Tariff Adjustments
Proclamation 10326, issued on December 23, 2021, aimed to streamline and correct previous modifications to the HTSUS, ensuring that all changes accurately reflect the current framework of U.S. trade agreements.
12. Trade and Security Framework Agreements
Executive Order 14346, dated September 5, 2025, empowered the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to modify the HTSUS as necessary to implement trade and security agreements effectively. This is indicative of the U.S. strategy to leverage trade agreements for broader geopolitical and economic objectives.
13. Conforming Adjustments Following New Proclamations
Following the issuance of Proclamation 10976 on September 29, 2025, and Proclamation 10984 on October 17, 2025, necessary adjustments were made to the HTSUS to align with new classifications. These changes illustrate the ongoing evolution of U.S. trade policy in response to international market conditions.
14. Presidential Authority Under the Trade Act of 1974
According to Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, the President is granted the authority to modify the HTSUS, reflecting the dynamic nature of trade agreements and their implications for import treatment in the United States.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that:
(1) To implement tariff commitments under the 2004 Agreement through December 31, 2026, the HTSUS will be modified as set forth in Annex I of this proclamation.
(2) The modifications and technical corrections to the HTSUS made by Annex I shall take effect on the applicable dates mentioned in Annex I.
(3) To implement the necessary technical corrections described in paragraphs 4 through 12, the HTSUS is modified as detailed in Annex II. These adjustments will also take effect on the specified dates.
(4) Any previous proclamations and Executive Orders inconsistent with this proclamation are superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of December, in the year two thousand twenty-five, marking the two hundred and fiftieth year of American Independence.
DONALD J. TRUMP
ANNEX I
TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF THE HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES
Effective for eligible agricultural products of Israel entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, from 12:01 am eastern time on January 1, 2026, to 11:59 pm eastern time on December 31, 2026, subchapter VIII of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is hereby modified as follows:
1. U.S. note 1 to such subchapter is modified by replacing “December 31, 2025” with “December 31, 2026”.
2. U.S. note 3 is modified by adding “Calendar year 2026” in the “Applicable time period” column and “466,000” in the “Quantity (kg)” column for that year.
3. U.S. note 4 is modified similarly, adding “Calendar year 2026” and “1,304,000”.
4. U.S. note 5 is modified to include “Calendar year 2026” and “1,534,000”.
5. U.S. note 6 is modified to reflect “Calendar year 2026” and “131,000”.
6. U.S. note 7 is modified to indicate “Calendar year 2026” and “707,000”.
ANNEX II
TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS AND RECTIFICATIONS TO
THE HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES
A. Tariff classification rule (TCR) 2 to chapter 90 in general note 25 of the HTSUS is modified by replacing “9901.90” with “9001.90”.
B. TCR 4(B) to chapter 90 in general note 25 is amended by replacing “900.19” with “9003.19”.
C. TCR 1(A) to chapter 88 in general note 33 is deleted, and TCRs 1(B) and 1(C) are renumbered as 1(A) and 1(B), respectively.
D. U.S. note 2(b) to subchapter XIX of chapter 98 is modified by removing “and 9819.15.10”.
E. For goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, from 12:01 am eastern time on October 14, 2025, subchapter III of chapter 99 is modified as follows:
1. The description for heading 9903.02.74 is updated by replacing “(xvi)” with “(xvii)”;
2. The description for heading 9903.02.75 is updated by replacing “(xvii)” with “(xviii)”;
3. The description for heading 9903.02.76 is updated by replacing “(xviii)” with “(xix)”;
4. The description for heading 9903.02.77 is updated by replacing “(xix)” with “(xx)”.
F. Effective for goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, from 12:01 am eastern time on November 1, 2025, subchapter III of chapter 99 is modified as follows:
1. The description for heading 9903.02.74 is updated by replacing “(xvii)” with “(xix)”;
2. The description for heading 9903.02.75 is updated by replacing “(xviii)” with “(xx)”;
3. The description for heading 9903.02.76 is updated by replacing “(xix)” with “(xxi)”;
4. The description for heading 9903.02.77 is updated by replacing “(xx)” with “(xxii)”.
