25 Nations Pause Mail Shipments to the U.S. 🚚✋

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), representing 192 countries, revealed on Tuesday that 25 member countries have suspended postal shipments to the United States. The reason? Major uncertainty around new customs rules about to kick in.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending the long-standing "de minimis" exemption on August 29. Before this, imports under $800 could enter duty-free. Now, everyone is waiting to see how this will shake out at the border.

The UPU says it's in talks with Washington to clear up the confusion. Director General Masahiko Metoki even wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to flag the issue and push for more guidance.

Who Feels the Pinch? 💸

Experts like Wang Shuo, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, warn that small e-commerce platforms and SMEs are in the hot seat first. Many might have to shrink their U.S. operations or bail out altogether.

"Even American SMEs cannot escape the squeeze," Wang explains. "Higher operating costs will likely be passed on to consumers as price hikes."

And the hikes are already here: some Walmart items are up 15%, while Adidas plans a 22% jump in prices for its fall shoes collection.

Consumer Impact & Beyond

U.S. import duties are now at their highest average rate since 1934. Analysts estimate each American household could lose around $2,000 a year, hitting working-class families the hardest. Critics say that although the policy aims to reduce trade imbalances, it ends up costing domestic businesses and consumers more in the end.

Wang adds that the tariff plan hasn't really protected U.S. jobs as promised. Take Ford Motor Company: rising steel costs forced it to cut benefits and jobs for its workers.

As the de minimis cliff approaches, the big question remains: will clearer guidance arrive in time to prevent a full-blown shipping saga? Stay tuned! 🔍📦

Reference(s):
25 countries halt mail to U.S. over tax uncertainty: UN postal body
cgtn.com