On April 8, 2025, the President of the United States issued an amendment to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), increasing tariffs on low-value imports from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This decision follows the PRC’s announcement of a 34% tariff on U.S. goods in retaliation for previous U.S. tariffs imposed due to significant trade deficits. The order specifies that the increased tariffs will rise from 34% to 84%, effective April 9, 2025, as part of a broader strategy to protect U.S. economic interests.

The amendment also includes provisions to raise the ad valorem rate of duty and increase duties on postal items to prevent circumvention of the tariffs. Specifically, duties on certain imports will rise from 30% to 90%, and the per postal item duty will increase significantly over the following months. These actions are framed as necessary steps to address what the administration considers unfair trade practices that threaten national security and economic stability.

The implementation of this order will involve collaboration among several governmental departments, including Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Trade Representative, to ensure effective enforcement of the new tariffs. The order emphasizes that it will be executed in accordance with existing laws and regulations and does not grant any enforceable rights against the U.S. government or its agencies. This tariff increase reflects ongoing tensions in U.S.-China trade relations, highlighting the complexities of international trade dynamics.

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