Hassett: Trump will have 'a wonderful conversation' this week with Xi

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Real effective tariff tax against China is more like 54%. Plus many non-tariff barriers tRump imposing

https://harris-sliwoski.com/chinalawblog/beyond-the-30-the-real-china-tariffs-right-now/

Electronic components that previously faced a 25% Section 301 tariff now effectively cost 55% more due to the additional 30% base tariff. Telecommunications equipment jumps to 45% (15% Section 301 + 30% base), while automotive parts reach 40% (10% Section 301 + 30% base). Even consumer electronics, which had a relatively modest 7.5% Section 301 tariff, now face a 37.5% effective rate.

USPS shipments from China now face a specialized 54% tariff rate regardless of product type. This rate applies independently from (and often in addition to) both the 30% base tariff and any applicable Section 301 duties. The punitive structure appears designed specifically to discourage direct-to-consumer shipments from Chinese sellers and platforms.

As if the percentage weren’t burdensome enough, there’s also a mandatory $100 handling fee on these postal shipments.

This fee applies regardless of the item’s value, creating absurd situations where a $50 purchase suddenly costs $150 before any tariffs are even calculated.

The contrast with private carriers is stark: shipments arriving via FedEx, UPS, or DHL remain subject to the standard tariff structure (though still affected by the layering of Section 301 and base tariffs). This policy effectively transforms USPS from the budget-friendly shipping option into the most expensive one for Chinese imports.

The handling fee is a non-tariff barrier. This kind of non-tariff barrier is exactly what tRump claims China is doing: using non-tariff barriers.