Hong Kong Halts Postal Services to the U.S. Amid Escalating Tariff Dispute
Hong Kong has announced the suspension of its postal services to and from the United States, in a sharp response to new tariff measures introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The move marks the latest escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, with Hong Kong increasingly caught in the middle.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Hong Kong government criticized the U.S. for what it described as “bullying” and “unreasonable” trade practices. The decision follows Trump’s recent executive order scrapping the de minimis rule, which had exempted incoming U.S. packages valued at $800 or less from tariffs and customs inspections.
Calling the U.S. move “abusive,” the Hong Kong government warned that residents and businesses would now face significantly higher shipping costs. Effective immediately, Hongkong Post will no longer accept sea-freight packages bound for the U.S., while air mail services will be suspended from April 27. Standard letter mail and documents will continue to be processed.
The suspension forces individuals and businesses to turn to private courier services such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS – options that are considerably more expensive. While DHL and FedEx have confirmed continued operations, they say they are monitoring the situation closely.
Trump’s tariff hike, which takes effect on May 2, raises duties on small international shipments from Hong Kong to as much as 120%, with a fixed charge of $100 per package that will double to $200 by June 1. The measures are aimed at curbing what Trump has claimed is the misuse of trade exemptions by Chinese retailers to avoid U.S. duties.
Hong Kong previously enjoyed a separate trade status under U.S. law, which allowed it to benefit from reduced tariffs. However, that arrangement was revoked in 2020 during Trump’s first term, as the U.S. government responded to Beijing’s imposition of a sweeping national security law in the territory.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday lashed out at Washington’s latest actions, accusing the U.S. of using trade as a geopolitical weapon.
“The United States’ reckless crackdown on China and Hong Kong has become a frenzy,” Lee said in a televised address. “This not only shows the U.S. is full of fallacies but also exposes the hegemony it claims to oppose.”
Lee added that Hong Kong would lodge a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization over the tariffs. Beijing has already filed a similar complaint, arguing that the measures breach WTO regulations.
The development underscores the rising strain in U.S.–China relations, with Hong Kong’s economy increasingly bearing the brunt of geopolitical tensions.
