U.S. Blames 40+ Countries for Helping China Evade Tariffs
The White House of the United States stated that more than 40 countries, including Japan, Mexico, and Canada, are helping China circumvent American tariffs.
Consensus
- The White House accused more than 40 countries of assisting China in circumventing U.S. tariffs.
- The countries mentioned include Japan, Mexico, and Canada.
- The accusation is based on a U.S. government report titled 'The Great Cargo Smuggling Scandal'.
- Two mechanisms are cited: minor manufacturing changes to alter product origin and illegal cargo transshipment.
- The White House estimates the potential value of illegal transshipment between $34.2 billion and $89.6 billion.
- The report identifies three categories of countries: major U.S. trade partners, nations integrated into China's production and logistics chains, and small jurisdictions with port access and weak customs control.
Points of divergence
- The U.S.-China trade conflict escalated in April 2025, with President Trump announcing tariffs on goods from nearly 200 countries, including a 34% tariff on Chinese products, followed by China imposing 34% retaliatory tariffs on all U.S. imports on April 10. — vedomosti
- In April 2026, Trump claimed to have seen reports of China supplying Iran with portable air-defense missiles, and stated that if confirmed, China would face 50% tariffs. — vedomosti
- The White House estimates that the total value of tariff evasion through third countries is $60 billion. — vesti
- Other U.S. government bodies and private sector representatives estimate the volume of such trade between $40 billion and $303 billion. — vesti
- Peter Navarro stated that China used 'extremely sophisticated' methods to avoid tariffs since 2018, enabling the country to mask export origins and deprive the U.S. treasury of tens of billions of dollars while taking American jobs. — vesti
- The White House is concerned that countries targeted by new U.S. tariffs, such as India and Vietnam, may adopt similar re-export schemes. — vesti
- Trump threatened to ban all imports from Switzerland, including watches, to eliminate the U.S. trade deficit with the country, claiming the U.S. would save $39–41 billion if Switzerland stopped trading with the U.S. — vesti
- Bloomberg reported that the White House planned to introduce customs tariffs and minimum import prices on polycrystalline silicon used in chip and solar panel production. — vesti
Coverage (3 sources)
- White House accused more than 40 countries in helping China bypass tariffs — Ведомости
- White House: more than 40 countries help China circumvent US tariffs — Коммерсантъ
- USA accuses more than 40 countries in helping China circumvent customs duties — Вести