HomeFeaturesChina Denounces US ‘Suppression’ As Trade War Heats Up

China Denounces US ‘Suppression’ As Trade War Heats Up

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Beijing lashed out at the United States on Wednesday, accusing it of “suppression” after the U.S. Postal Service revealed it would suspend shipments of parcels from China and Hong Kong. This move is anticipated to negatively affect global e-commerce heavyweights such as Temu and Shein, both of which rely on efficient international delivery systems.

In recent days, relations between the U.S. and China have become increasingly strained, with both countries imposing sweeping tariffs on each other’s imports. This trade clash, which impacts hundreds of billions of dollars in goods, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing economic dispute between the two superpowers.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced on Tuesday that it would eliminate the duty-free exemption for low-value packages. The “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. without paying duties or taxes, has been under intense scrutiny amid a surge in shipments in recent years.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shipments exempt from duties amounted to more than $1.36 billion in 2024, a figure that has created significant enforcement challenges. These challenges include the need to better regulate trade laws, health and safety measures, intellectual property rights, and consumer protections.

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US officials have pointed to the growth of Chinese-founded online retailers Shein and Temu as a key factor behind this increase — and Tuesday’s halt could delay parcels from both companies from entering the country.

Beijing responded with fury to the move, accusing the US of “politicising trade and economic issues and using them as tools”.

Vowing to “take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies”, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian accused Washington of “unreasonable suppression”.

Washington has been looking to tighten the “de minimis” rules, saying the growth in shipments makes it harder to screen goods for security risks.

The Eastern Updates

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