US and Chinese companies are rushing to find a way to skirt President Trump’s sudden tariffs on Beijing imports. Some rely on dangerous tactics to operate products through other countries, Post learned.
According to logistics data provider Vizion, US manufacturing orders from China fell by nearly two-thirds in the first week of April. Trump reportedly signaled on Wednesday that he could cut China’s 145% rate by more than half.
Meanwhile, some importers have re-routed transport to Canadian and Mexican ports in the hope that importers who are sticking to goods on the water will pay a low 25% tariff imposed on their US North American neighbours.
“Now, people are in the parking container until they can understand what’s going on,” Monroe told the Post.
Elsewhere, major US companies with a large footprint in China are looking to rapidly migrate their manufacturing into other Asian countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan and India. These currently enjoy a 90-day suspension at mutual obligation, leaving a 10% universal tax.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you get the most out of our business,” said George Kochanowski, supply chain expert and co-founder of Staxxon, a shipping container supplier.
“They provide warehouses, that you don’t have to build yourself, and that they provide bilingual employees who speak local languages.”
Some importers who are already obsessed with Chinese goods are trying to carry out their duties except for their duties by storing them in so-called US bond warehouses, which at least temporarily avoid paying customs duties. But that comes with its own risks.
“It’s something people are talking about right now, despite the cost to store things in these warehouses,” Queens told the Post. Bobby Scholl, vice president of JW Hampton Jr. & Company, a 160-year-old logistics company in Jamaica, Queens.
California’s Long Beach port is already on the water and receives “multiple requests for bonded warehouse facilities” of unhanging cargo.
“However, there are concerns that importers, particularly small importers, may abandon their cargo and decide not to pay service providers once they arrive at US ports or try to re-export them to their origin,” Hacegaba added.
According to Monroe, some shipping companies are also trying to underestimate the items they are delivering to the United States by misleading customs officials.
“I believe habits will catch it,” he said.
Monroe adds, “Many Chinese companies are asking Vietnamese companies to change labels for products made in China.” Tricks adopted in 2019 When he first imposed tariffs on China during President Trump’s first term.
Hanoi has warned that it will crack down on labels “made in Vietnam” for “illegal transport.” Report. South Korea has also established a special task force to prevent illegal export attempts, Reuters It has been reported.
After an investigation in March, South Korean Customs said it had acquired an origin violation worth $20 million in the first quarter of 2025. According to the report, US freight accounts for 97% of total.
Companies will try to make short-term moves to skirt Trump’s trade tax, but long-term diversification of supply chains is essential, Aditya Mishra, managing director of BAT VC, a $100 million fund supporting US and India startups, told the Post.
“Even if he cuts Chinese tariffs, the event puts businesses at risk of staying in China and hopes this never happens again,” said Mishra, a former Yahoo executive.
Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss the tariff deal. In February, New Delhi and Washington agreed to more than $500 billion for more than double the country’s trade by 2030.
According to Mishra, “India will benefit greatly from manufacturing that leaves China.”
“Everyone is looking for a way to adjust,” Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Renacci, who owns car dealers among other companies, told the post.
“How can I coordinate my supply chain and still get the products I need to run my business? Is there a way to go through outlets outside of China?”
