Beijing on Wednesday, February 5, condemned the United States for what it calls "unreasonable suppression" following the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) decision to suspend parcel deliveries from China and Hong Kong, a move that could significantly disrupt e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein.
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between the two global economic powers, which have recently imposed a series of tariffs on each other's imports, affecting trade worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
The USPS also eliminated the “de minimis” exemption for low-value goods under $800, which previously allowed such packages to enter the U.S. duty-free. U.S. Customs and Border Protection noted that these exemptions accounted for over $1.36 billion in shipments in 2024, raising enforcement concerns around trade laws, consumer safety, and intellectual property rights.
Chinese-founded online retailers like Shein and Temu have been identified as key contributors to the surge in low-value shipments, and the suspension of parcel services could delay deliveries from these companies. Beijing expressed outrage, accusing the U.S. of politicizing trade issues and vowing to "take necessary measures" to protect Chinese businesses. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized Washington's actions as part of an ongoing pattern of “unreasonable suppression.”
While U.S. officials aim to tighten de minimis rules to enhance security screening for imported goods, the USPS did not provide a specific reason for its abrupt suspension of services. Other e-commerce retailers, including Amazon, could also face disruptions.
The situation intensified as the European Commission announced plans to impose new fees on e-commerce imports, primarily targeting products from China, in a bid to address the influx of “harmful” goods.
Simultaneously, trade relations between the U.S. and China remain fraught. On Tuesday, February 4, Beijing announced tariffs on $20 billion worth of American goods, including energy and vehicles, in response to new U.S. levies targeting $450 billion worth of Chinese imports. While the U.S. has paused some duties on Mexico and Canada following agreements to address drug and immigration issues, tensions with Beijing show no signs of abating. Talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been hinted at but remain unscheduled.