Trump’s Tariff U‑Turn: No Taxes on Low‑Value Canadian & Mexican Goods

Imagine a world where your weekend shopping spree turns into a courtroom drama.

1. What’s New?
   President Donald Trump rolled out fresh, hefty 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada yesterday. The dusty old 10% levy on Chinese items got a neat update too, but that’s not the headline.
2. Boxing the De Minimis Threshold
   For years, low‑value parcels—those under $800 (roughly £630)—flying from Mexico and Canada flew free of taxes thanks to a de minimis exemption. Trump’s latest order lifted that exemption, meaning every little gadget or e‑treats arriving from those countries could now trigger duty fees.
3. The Spammy Slip‑Up from China
   In February, Trump attempted to remove the same threshold for Chinese e‑commerce parcels. Customs got a shock. USPS halted all shipments from China overnight; an estimated 1 million packages jammed right into JFK’s customs lobby. Even parcels with paid duties were stranded. The chaos left UK‑origin e‑commerce items stuck too, since customs had to juggle more packages than usual.
4. Back Off, Back Off!
   After the backlash and a brunt of customer complaints, Trump reversed the Chinese move, reinstating the de minimis rule “until adequate systems are in place.” This same wording echoed for Mexican and Canadian parcels, showing he’s wary of a repeat nightmare.
5. Why It Matters to You
   Picture booking a $197 Shein sweater. You’d suddenly see an extra $39 on the invoice: $20.76 in customs duty, $1.31 in regulatory fees, and $17 for the processing hassle. That’s a real dent in your budget, especially if your post‑turkey bargain-haul relies on low‑cost imports.
6. What’s the Outlook?
   Even though the U.K. may temporarily dodge the de minimis tweak, the backlog will still ripple through. Heavy shipping delays from U.K. e‑commerce to the U.S. could spike extra costs, and American shoppers might have less disposable income to splurge on U.K. goods. Tensions over tariffs could flare up, especially in light of recent talks between the U.S. and U.K. leaders about a potential trade deal.

TL;DR: Trump’s tariff lift on Mexican and Canadian parcels could hit your wallet, but he’s pulled back like a cautious parent. The fallout from China’s moving kit may linger, causing delays and higher prices for U.S. consumers—and yes, the U.K. may feel the pinch at the receive end. Keep your order trackers refreshed; you never know when a tariff storm might hit your doorstep.