US Slaps New Tariffs on China After Tense Chats
Published Date: 5/21/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The U.S. government is updating tariff rates on goods from China after recent talks with Chinese officials. These changes affect American importers and exporters by adjusting taxes on certain products to keep trade fair and protect the U.S. economy. The new tariff rules kick in soon and could impact prices and trade flows between the two countries.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary 10% Tariff on China Imports
Starting for goods entered on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 14, 2025, all articles imported from the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) are subject to an additional ad valorem duty of 10 percent for an initial 90-day period. This 10 percent rate reflects suspending 24 percentage points of a previously applied additional duty and replaces modified rates imposed by earlier Executive Orders.
Specific HTSUS Line Rate Cuts: 125% to 34%
Effective for goods entered on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 14, 2025, heading 9903.01.63 and related U.S. note subdivisions are amended to replace references to 125% with 34%, and certain provisions are suspended for 90 days beginning May 14, 2025. These changes reduce the ad valorem rates shown in those HTSUS entries from 125 percent to 34 percent.
De Minimis/Low-Value Duty Cut to 54%
Effective for goods entered on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 14, 2025, the ad valorem rate of duty referenced in section 2(c)(i) of Executive Order 14256 is decreased from 120 percent to 54 percent for the applicable low-value import provision. The HTSUS subdivision (w) is amended to reflect the 54 percent rate.
Per-Postal-Item Duty Held at $100
The order retains in effect a per-postal-item duty of $100 for postal items containing goods, effective since 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 2, 2025, and states this $100 rate will remain in effect notwithstanding an increase that had been contemplated effective June 1, 2025. The $100 duty remains until and unless later modified by executive action.
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