Hongkong Post Halts US Goods Shipments Over Tariff Increases
Hongkong Post is suspending its mail services for goods headed to the United States, blaming what it called “unreasonable, bullying and imposing tariffs”. Sea mail has already stopped, and air mail will follow suit from April 27th. Postal items containing only documents will still be accepted.
The move comes after the U.S. scrapped its “de minimis” exemption for packages worth $800 or less from Hong Kong and China, slapping them with high tariffs starting on May 2nd. Hong Kong officials warned the public to expect “exorbitant and unreasonable fees” and stressed that they “will definitely not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the U.S.”
The city, who once enjoyed special trade privileges with the U.S., is now facing the same steep tariffs as mainland China. Leaders in both Hong Kong and Beijing have condemned the U.S. measures, with Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee calling it a “reckless crackdown” and a display of American “hegemony.”
