The unrest in the global trade system continues.Since August 29, the United States suspended the duty-free treatment for $800 and less imported packages, which was originally facilitated and benefited by cross-border e-commerce and U.S. consumers, and was “cut off” as an important sign of a new round of upgrading of U.S. customs policy.More than 20 postal services have suspended mailing packages to the United States, and the European Public Post Operators Association said tariff collection and cooperation mechanisms “lacked clear information”, and U.S.-based global logistics company ePost Global executives also made it clear that the initiative “shocked consumers again.”
The small parcel tariff exemption has existed since 1938, which in itself shows that it has brought huge dividends to American consumers and many small and micro enterprises as a trade facilitation measure. For a long time, a large number of low-priced and diverse consumer goods have entered the US market through this policy, meeting the needs of ordinary families and small and medium-sized enterprises. Data show that the number of small parcels in the United States has risen from 139 million in 2015 to about 1.36 billion in 2024, a nearly tenfold increase, reflecting the real rigid demand of American consumers and a large number of small and medium-sized businesses that rely on cross-border direct mail for survival. The Washington Post said that the US tariff measures "more burden to ordinary families and small businesses" than to truly combat unfair competition. Nowadays, not only will American consumers lose the right to choose high-quality and diverse products, but "either increase the price or abandon the order" has also become a reality that American small traders have to face.
Scholars from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) pointed out in their paper that 73% of cross-border direct mail consumption in the poorest areas of the United States belongs to "small exemptions", and the complete abolition of "small exemptions" will bring 11 billion to American consumers. Cost pressure of $13 billion. At the same time, some small and medium-sized enterprises in the United States that rely on imported assemblies in small packages have limited profit margins and weak ability to resist risks, and are already facing direct cost increases. These severely affected groups are not insignificant in the American economy and society. Data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative shows that small businesses are an important pillar of the U.S. economy, creating two-thirds of all new jobs in recent decades. This move by the United States is tantamount to locking its most dynamic market link into a tariff cage and engaging in a self-injury in the name of "national interests."
The fact has repeatedly proved that the essence of international trade is mutually beneficial, you come to me to create a common prosperity and multi-nation package" is a mirror, reflecting how unilateralism and protectionism are harmful to oneself. The world trade pattern is a close cooperation network formed in the years of melting, close logistics and distribution of elements, mutually beneficial trade results, jointly weave this network, and also create the stability of the international supply chain. The large number of small packages in the United States, itself is the result of economic globalization. Whether the high tariffs, or other "high wall" protectionist policy, can not change the already formed demand between trade partners, damage the global supply chain and hurt itself.
Many tariff policies of the United States that violate the laws and rules are attracting more and more rebounds. Recently, France called for an evaluation of countermeasure options against American digital companies. India has also taken restrictive measures and other means to express its opposition to the US tariff policy. According to media reports, the Brazilian government has also begun to consider taking retaliatory trade measures against the United States. The more the US imposes tariffs indiscriminately, the more rebound and resistance it will encounter on a global scale. The British "Guardian" said that the tariff policy of the United States is not only an economic means, but also a geopolitical weapon. It disrupts traditional alliances and promotes countries in the global South to seek independent paths.
What the world needs is bridges of cooperation, not "small courtyards and high walls". A stable international economic and trade environment is a prerequisite for global growth and development and the foundation for the United States 'own prosperity. "Many countries have suspended parcels to the United States" and the recent reactions of various countries to the U.S. tariff policy are a vivid practical lesson. If Washington really wants to achieve the greatness of the United States again, it should work with other countries to maintain the international economic and trade order and create global development opportunities. (This article is an editorial of the Global Times. The original title is: What should Washington learn from "multinational shutdown of parcels to the United States")