Even after the temporary easing of the trade dispute, Donald Trump continues to make it difficult for Chinese online retailers such as Temu and Shein to do business in the USA.

Until recently, they benefited from the fact that shipments of goods valued at less than $800 were exempt from customs duties. Since the beginning of May, however, a tariff of 120 percent has been due – with a minimum duty of $100 per package.

Now, US President Trump has reduced the tariff rate to 54 percent, but the minimum duty of $100 remains. And on June 1, it is scheduled to rise to $200, according to an executive order from the US president.

US consumers usually order inexpensive goods from Temu, Shein, and others—which will be much more expensive than before, even with the new regulations. It should be cheaper for online retailers to bring the items to US warehouses and sell them from there. The standard tariff on products from China was reduced to 30 percent for 90 days following the agreement with Beijing.

US retailers criticized the so-called de minimis rule for duty-free shipments valued under $800 as unfair aid to their Chinese rivals. Trump also justified the action by arguing that it also allowed the dangerous drug fentanyl to enter the country.

Chinese online retailers have increased their prices in the US in recent weeks due to the abolition of the exemption.