In a rapid reversal, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced Wednesday it would continue accepting inbound parcels from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), just one day after suspending such shipments. The decision follows criticism from Chinese officials and global logistics firms scrambling to adapt to sudden trade policy shifts.
Backlash and Policy Whiplash
China's Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. to 'stop politicizing trade issues' after the initial suspension, while the HKSAR government condemned the USPS move as 'unilateral and unreasonable.' Hongkong Post had been hit with a 10% additional duty on U.S.-bound goods, sparking calls for urgent rectification.
Logistics Chaos Deepens
The abrupt policy change left retailers and shippers in limbo, with experts citing confusion over how new tariffs on small packages would be enforced. 'The problem is with customs. They are not prepared,' said an anonymous postal industry analyst, highlighting concerns about duty collection costs potentially exceeding revenue. FedEx suspended money-back guarantees on international shipments amid the turmoil.
Broader Trade Tensions
While USPS stated it is coordinating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to minimize delivery disruptions, cross-border e-commerce platforms warned of short-term chaos. 'We're all running around trying to second-guess what's next,' said Martin Palmer of Hurricane Commerce, reflecting widespread uncertainty as businesses await clearer government guidance.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
