|
EU and US Target E-Commerce Giants with New Tariff Policies
2025-04-29 22:55:09
E-commerce
China

EU and US Target E-Commerce Giants with New Tariff Policies

Image used under license from Shutterstock.com

European and American authorities are ramping up measures against e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu. France has proposed new fees on small parcels from non-EU countries to be paid by importers or online platforms, not consumers.

This initiative targets Chinese retailers flooding the European market with inexpensive goods. Concurrently, negotiations are underway to reform EU customs rules, possibly reintroducing tariffs on low-value shipments.

Concerns over product quality and compliance with EU standards have been raised by consumer protection groups. In the United States, a regulatory shift is closing a loophole that previously exempted imports under $800 from tariffs, leading to potential price hikes on Chinese goods.

This move is part of a broader strategy to curb the influx of cheaper imports and address illicit trade issues. These collective efforts reflect a growing international stance to regulate e-commerce imports and ensure they meet safety and quality standards.

Related news on that topic:

Controversy Surrounds Amazon's Proposed Tariff Transparency

The White House has strongly criticized Amazon over a reported plan to display the impact of tariffs imposed by former President Trump on product prices. The administration labeled this move as a 'hostile and political act,' accusing Amazon of aligning with Chinese interests, given that a significant portion of its sellers are based in China. This criticism surfaces amidst ongoing trade tensions and tariff implementations that have caused significant price increases, particularly on products imported from China. Amazon, however, has denied proceeding with these plans on its main platform, suggesting that the discussions were limited to a competing service. The company emphasized its efforts to maintain low prices for its customers despite these external economic pressures. Meanwhile, the White House questioned Amazon's timing, noting that the company did not take similar actions during the Biden administration's period of high inflation. The proposed transparency aligns Amazon with other retailers like Temu and Shein, which have begun revealing import charges to customers. Nonetheless, the debate has sparked a broader discussion on corporate transparency and the influence of tariffs on consumer prices. As Amazon prepares to report its quarterly results, investors are keen to understand how the company navigates these tariffs and potential changes to trade policies. In a landscape where economic policies and corporate strategies intersect, Amazon's attempt to shed light on tariff impacts underscores the complexities of global trade and the challenges faced by multinational corporations in balancing transparency with political sensitivities.

Economic Challenges Amidst Tariff Tensions

Germany's economy is grappling with multiple challenges, prominently due to the tariff policies introduced by former President Trump. These tariffs have cast a long shadow, affecting Germany's export-driven economy, and creating uncertainty in markets. The European Central Bank (ECB) is responding by considering interest rate cuts and has already lowered deposit rates, which has impacted savers. The German government is planning economic stimulus measures to counter these effects, including significant spending on defense and infrastructure. Despite these efforts, growth remains sluggish. Industrial production and retail have shown some positive signs, but key sectors like automotive and machinery continue to struggle. The expected economic growth stands at a modest 1.0 percent by 2026. The broader Eurozone has experienced slight growth, propelled by companies advancing purchases to dodge tariffs. However, fears of a recession persist, with warnings from central bankers about the negative impact of the trade war on global economies. The U.S. may see a downturn, potentially dragging down other economies, although the Eurozone might suffer less. Trump's recent easing of auto tariffs briefly buoyed Germany's stock markets, with automakers like Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz seeing gains. Nonetheless, the tariff turmoil has led to a pessimistic outlook for the U.S. economy, as reflected in betting markets predicting negative growth. The continued tensions have led to calls for negotiations between the EU and the USA, with hopes of resolving the trade conflicts. As Germany navigates these turbulent waters, the impact of these policies on both sides of the Atlantic remains a critical focal point for economic stability.

Read 2 more recent news on this topic

The press radar on this topic:

AFP
29. April 2025 um 12:08

Packages from China: France calls for fees for online platforms

France proposes to introduce fees of several euros per package for small shipments of goods from non-EU countries. This is intended to hit the importers or online platforms like Shein and Temu, not the consumers. At EU level, negotiations are underway on a reform of the customs rules, in which this fee could also be introduced. The exemption for duty-free packages under 150 euros is criticized, as it mainly benefits Chinese online platforms. In the USA, too, customs duties for small shipments..
stern
29. April 2025 um 12:08

Packages from China: France Calls for Fees for Online Platforms

France has proposed introducing fees for small shipments from non-EU countries, which would be paid by importers or online platforms and not by consumers. The focus is particularly on providers like Shein and Temu. At the same time, negotiations are underway at the EU level on a reform of customs rules, which could also include the reintroduction of customs duties on low-value shipments. Consumer protection associations warn about the poor quality and misleading information about products from..
EURACTIV.de
29. April 2025 um 14:17

Flood of Packages Due to Online Trade: France Wants to Take Action Against China's Temu and Shein

The French government has initiated a new e-commerce strategy to reduce the approximately 1.5 billion packages delivered annually, half of which come from China. The plan is to end the customs exemption for e-commerce platforms and introduce stricter controls for products from platforms like Temu and Shein. These measures are intended to ensure that imported goods comply with safety and environmental standards. In addition, a flat administrative fee for each package is being prepared, but this..
New York Times - Business
30. April 2025 um 21:48

A $10 T-Shirt Could Become a $24.50 T-Shirt as Key Tariff Loophole Closes

The U.S. is closing a loophole that has allowed Americans to buy cheap goods from China and Hong Kong without paying tariffs or customs fees. This 'de minimis' exemption for items under $800 is being eliminated, leading to higher prices for consumers on products like clothing from retailers like Shein and Temu. The change is aimed at preventing the flow of fentanyl and its precursors into the U.S. via these smaller shipments, which increased after Trump's tariffs on China.
CW

Account

Waiting list for the personalized area


Welcome!

InfoBud.news

infobud.news is an AI-driven news aggregator that simplifies global news, offering customizable feeds in all languages for tailored insights into tech, finance, politics, and more. It provides precise, relevant news updates, overcoming conventional search tool limitations. Due to the diversity of news sources, it provides precise and relevant news updates, focusing entirely on the facts without influencing opinion. Read moreExpand

Spotlighting today's most mentioned stocks in the media. Uncover the stories making waves in the stock market:

A closer look at the individuals who are leading today's news narratives. Find out what makes them the center of attention.

Exploring the five locations receiving the most media attention in the last 24 hours. Discover what puts these places in the global spotlight

Your World, Tailored News: Navigate The News Jungle With AI-Powered Precision!

News

All News
Politics
Technology
Economy
Business
Climate

About

About Us
Team + Mission

Legal

Cookie Settings
Disclaimer
Legal Notice
Data Privacy

Contact

Contact