By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Senate on Monday adopted an amended House Joint Resolution 24-9 urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Postal Service to immediately cease and desist from implementing President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14324, which suspends the duty-free de minimis exemption for all international shipments.
The EO, which took effect on Aug. 29, 2025, aims to address the abuse of low-value shipments to avoid tariffs.
Authored by Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao and introduced by the entire House as a committee of the whole, H.J.R. 24-9 — which the House is expected to entertain today, Friday — also urges the federal government to remit to the CNMI all revenues collected under the EO, or recognize the CNMI’s authority to collect such revenues itself, consistent with the Covenant that made the CNMI part of the United States.
H.J.R. 24-9 cites Section 603(a) of the Covenant, which provides that “any duties, tariffs, or taxes assessed on shipments bound for or originating from the CNMI are not subject to U.S. customs, taxes, or duties,” and therefore the resolution argues that EO 14324 should immediately cease and desist because it does not apply to the Commonwealth.
The joint resolution further states that, to the extent any duties are improperly assessed, such revenues must be remitted in full to the CNMI Treasury or collected directly by the CNMI government.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
