Do Trump’s New Tariffs Impact International Workers or Just Goods?

The US recently announced a new wave of tariffs as part of an effort to reshape global trade relationships.

Naturally, this has raised questions for companies with international teams: Will these tariffs affect cross-border services and the work delivered by global employees?

Here’s what we know.

The short answer: No, Trump’s latest tariffs are focused on goods—not services.

The new tariffs primarily target imported physical goods, with duties applied across a broad range of categories from steel and aluminum to vehicles and electronics. In some cases, the rates vary depending on the country of origin, with higher tariffs placed on imports from the EU and China.

However, services such as software development, design, customer support, marketing, and other professional work delivered remotely are not included in this wave of tariff changes.

That means if your company works with international employees or contractors who deliver services (rather than physical products), you’re in the clear for now.

So what does this mean for businesses with global teams?

If your business relies on international talent, you can continue to engage with cross-border workers without additional costs tied to these tariffs. That’s especially important in a world where remote collaboration is the norm and access to specialized skills—no matter the location—is a competitive advantage.

At Deel, we help over 35,000 companies hire, onboard, and pay international workers in 150+ countries. One of the most common questions we get during times of policy change is: How does this affect my distributed workforce?

In this case, the answer is: it doesn’t, at least not directly.

What to keep an eye on

While services haven’t been impacted, it’s still worth watching how these tariffs ripple through the global economy. Higher costs on imported goods could eventually affect company budgets, which in turn might influence decisions on staffing, outsourcing, or expansion.

It’s also possible that future trade negotiations or retaliatory measures could introduce new restrictions, so staying informed is key.

The bottom line on tariff impacts on services

Trump’s most recent tariffs are focused on physical goods, not services. That means businesses working with international employees or contractors to deliver digital or professional services won’t see any immediate changes. And if anything does change, we’ll be here to help you navigate it.