The National Retail Federation applauded the United States and China for agreeing to a temporary pause on 125% “reciprocal and retaliatory” tariffs.
In April, U.S. online and offline retail sales had grown year over year as consumers expected product prices to increase imminently as a result of tariffs, according to the NRF. Then, on May 12, the White House announced that it would modify its tariff rates for 90 days to reflect discussions with China.
“This temporary pause is a critical first step to provide some short-term relief for retailers and other businesses that are in the midst of ordering merchandise for the winter holiday season,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay, in a statement. “And over the long term, this lays the foundation for substantial progress in achieving truly fair and balanced trade relationships with both China and our other trade partners around the world.”
Newest changes to U.S. tariffs on China
As of May 14, U.S. tariffs on products from China will decrease to 34% from 125%. The White House detailed that change in an executive order. It suspends by 24 percentage points the rate set in executive order 14257. That rate was announced on April 2, which president Donald Trump referred to as “Liberation Day.” It also retains a base tariff rate of 10% from that order while removing subsequent rates from later orders.
Additionally, the White House is decreasing its tariffs for shipments using the de minimis exemption. The executive order reduces tariffs on de minimis shipments to 54% from 120%.
“For merchandise entered for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2025, the applicable specific duty rate is $200 per postal item containing such goods,” the order states.
The reduced duties for shipments using the de minimis exemption are still higher than what they were months ago. Asia-based Shein and Temu had both already announced tariff-related price increases in April. They did so in anticipation of the loophole ending May 2. Before then, the de minimis would allow shipments of up to $800 into the U.S. without import taxes.
Following the pause announcement from the U.S. and China, Shein advertised to customers that it would lower some prices. The online retailer also committed to keeping total prices visible at checkout without adding separate tariff-related charges.
“We urge the administration and our Chinese trade partners to continue discussions to address the ongoing issues, work to remove the remaining national security tariffs, and provide long-term stability between the two largest global economies,” Shay said in the statement.
Days before the U.S. government announced its temporary pause on tariffs, software provider Shopify had launched TariffGuide.ai, Digital Commerce 360 reported. The artificial intelligence (AI) tool provides duty rates based on a product description and the country of origin.
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