August 25, 2025

Last week, the Chamber met with recently appointed CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott alongside some of our partners including the Small Business Development Center. Our business community elevated ongoing priorities such as advancing border efficiency, continued investment in technology, and fully staffing our air, sea, and land ports of entry. Board members Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta, VP of R.L. Jones Customs Brokers, and Ernesto Bravo, President, TECMA West Division, stressed the need for clear and timely communication on tariff implementation which impact local businesses of all sizes and across industries. The Chamber is part of monthly stakeholder meetings with CBP Director of Field Operations for San Diego Sidney Aki and team, and we appreciate our partnership and communication channels which help inform our outreach efforts.

This past month, tariffs were implemented to over 90 countries ranging from 10% to much higher. Some countries like South Korea, the European Union, and Japan have reached trade deals with the U.S. yet have not been fully exempt from tariffs. Other countries like Mexico and China were able to negotiate a 90-day extension to further negotiate trade deals that benefit both parties. Canada, on the other hand, was one of the first to receive tariffs on non-USMCA goods, while still working with the federal administration on a trade deal. Chamber President and CEO, Chris Cate participated at a press conference with Rep. Scott Peters and Rep. Sara Jacobs to highlight the economic impact that tariffs have on regional businesses and supply chains.