US-UK Preliminary Trade Deal

3) CBP Acting Commissioner Flores Addresses the Trade and Cargo Security Summit

In his remarks at the Trade and Cargo Security Summit, CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores emphasized the agency’s central role in enforcing the Trump Administration’s “America First” trade and border security policies. He outlined CBP’s efforts to uphold new tariffs, disrupt illicit trade, and modernize enforcement systems in support of national economic and security priorities.

A summary and some quotes are below:

• Tariff Enforcement & Economic Policy:
  
  CBP is actively implementing and enforcing new trade tariffs aimed at reshoring manufacturing and protecting U.S. industry. Flores described CBP as "uniquely positioned to implement and enforce the President's tariffs," including reciprocal tariffs and duties under Section 232.
  
  “CBP remains steadfast in the enforcement of these measures designed to return manufacturing to U.S. shores.”

• Fentanyl and Border Security:
  
  Significant progress was reported in reducing fentanyl trafficking and illegal border crossings, with daily southern border apprehensions dropping by 95%—from over 5,000 to just 230 per day.
  
   
• ACE System Enhancements:
  
  CBP has upgraded the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to better support tariff enforcement, streamline air cargo processing, and modernize trade compliance systems.
  
   
• De Minimis Shipments as a Trade Loophole:
  
  Flores raised serious concerns about the rapid increase in low-value (de minimis) shipments, which have become a conduit for tariff evasion, counterfeit goods, and narcotics.
  
  “Nearly 90% of all seizures in the cargo environment originated as a de minimis shipment.”
  
  “De minimis shipments account for 97% of intellectual property rights seizures equating to 31 million counterfeit items.”

• Policy Action on China & Hong Kong:
  
  A recent Executive Order eliminates de minimis eligibility for goods from China and Hong Kong to curb fentanyl-related imports and protect U.S. trade interests. Flores acknowledged the disruptive impact of these changes and emphasized CBP’s commitment to work with the trade community through an Emergency Operations Center.
  
   “Our ultimate goal is to collaborate to the best of our ability with each of you, even though, on occasion, the lead time is less than optimal.”

• Focus on Legitimate Trade and Risk Targeting:
  
  CBP is expanding its digital platforms and adopting a risk-based targeting model to speed up and simplify trade processes while improving transparency.
  
   “We are expanding a digital platform and risk-based targeting to make legitimate trade faster, simpler, and more transparent.”

• AI-Driven Trade Enforcement:
  
  CBP is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance its ability to identify high-risk shipments and entities earlier in the supply chain, enabling proactive enforcement rather than reactive response.
  
  “CBP is putting in advanced data and analytics technology into the hands of its personnel to provide our workforce with the newest decision-making tools and information.”

• Collaboration and Future Readiness:
  
  CBP emphasized ongoing collaboration with the trade community to responsibly implement AI, establish protocols, and maintain a proactive risk posture.
  
  “We will continue working with you to put in place the right protocols to maximize AI capabilities while establishing a proactive risk posture.”

The full transcript can be found here.