Overview
- Importers are underreporting product values and mislabeling materials to escape higher tariffs.
- Some Chinese firms are advising clients on routing shipments through low-tariff countries to reduce duty costs.
- Manufacturers say these schemes undercut honest businesses by rewarding cheaters.
- The White House trimmed Chinese duties from a brief 145% peak to 35% and paused most reciprocal levies, maintaining a 10% blanket rate for 90 days.
- Frequent tariff adjustments—over 50 revisions since Trump took office—have generated uncertainty for U.S. businesses and consumers.