ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

U.S. Tariffs Exempt Art and Antiquities; Fake or Fortune Reveals Rare Portrait

market-auction · 2026-07-30

According to a fact sheet from the U.S. Trade Representative, art, antiques, and collectibles are not subject to President Donald Trump's new tariffs, which range from 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from approximately 80 nations. This decision follows advocacy from Cinoa and the British Antiquities Dealers Association. Lawyer Peter Tompa noted, "Sometimes, government listens." The new tariffs replace a previous 10 percent global rate and a system that the Supreme Court invalidated in February. An op-ed in Le Monde warns that escalating trade tensions won't improve economic conditions, highlighting a 0.8 percent increase in consumer prices this week. Additionally, a portrait likely by 18th-century artist Katherine Read is appraised at over £100,000 ($130,000). Robert Lazzarini will showcase his work at MassArt Art Museum on September 30.

Key facts

  • Art and antiquities are exempt from new U.S. tariffs of 10–12.5% on goods from 80 countries.
  • Trade bodies Cinoa and the British Antiquities Dealers Association lobbied for the exemption.
  • Lawyer Peter Tompa commented on the exemption to the Art Newspaper.
  • The new tariff schedule replaced a temporary 10% global rate and a regime struck down by the Supreme Court in February.
  • An op-ed in Le Monde warns of economic risks; consumer prices rose 0.8% this week.
  • A portrait on BBC's Fake or Fortune was authenticated as by Katherine Read, an 18th-century Scottish painter.
  • The painting is valued at over £100,000 and is the first portrait of an Indian sitter by a European woman artist.
  • Ella Dorn proposes the aesthetic 'Giallobrutalism' for the mid-2020s.
  • Robert Lazzarini will exhibit at MassArt Art Museum in Boston on September 30 after losing Venice Biennale sponsorship.
  • A 1986 BBC interview shows Joni Mitchell using abstract painting as a meditative practice.

Entities

Artists

  • Katherine Read
  • Robert Lazzarini
  • Joni Mitchell
  • Ella Dorn

Institutions

  • U.S. Trade Representative
  • Cinoa
  • British Antiquities Dealers Association
  • The Art Newspaper
  • Le Monde
  • BBC
  • MassArt Art Museum
  • Venice Biennale

Locations

  • United States
  • Boston
  • Venice
  • Italy

Sources