USPS is temporarily suspending packages from China and Hong Kong

The US Post Service announced on Tuesday night that it is temporarily suspending to accept packages sent from China and Hong Kong so far.

The suspension is immediately effective, USPS said. Letters and apartments are not included in the suspension, says it.

The postal service did not give a reason for the suspension or said how long it expects it to last.

Earlier Tuesday, Beijing announced that it would counteract President Trump’s new 10% Tarif on Chinese items with its own retaliatory gaps. China said start next monday it would Implement a duty of 15% On coal and liquid natural gas products along with a 10% duty on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large cars imported from the United States

Trump’s customs rise also eliminated a duty -free exemption from low value packages coming from China. The exception “de minimis” gives goods valued at $ 800 or less, to come to the United States without paying tasks or certain taxes.

But it has been subject to control due to an increase in shipments that claim the exemption in recent years.

US officials pointed to the growth of Chinese-founded online dealers Shein and Temu as a key factor behind this climb and Tuesday’s stop could delay packages from both companies from entering the country.

US officials have also said that the growth in shipments makes it more difficult to screen goods for security risks.

Mr. Trump says he plans to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days.