Nick Stowe, chief executive of Monsoon & Accessorize, told the BBC’s Today programme he was in support of the changes in the US to the de minimis exemption, claiming that it had allowed major Chinese retailers to “undercut” rivals in other markets.

“It has long been a complaint of UK retailers, European retailers as well as the US retailers that Shein are exploiting this loophole, not paying customs duty and they have built a business at an industrial scale,” he said.

Trump had been expected to speak to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the coming days but on Tuesday the US president said he was in “no rush” to hold talks.

“Trump’s tariff changes are especially sharp if goods were previously shipped via e-commerce directly from China to the US,” said trade expert Deborah Elms.

Close to half of all parcels entering the US under de minimis exemptions were sent from China, according to a 2023 report by US Congress.

Officials have pointed out that the large flow of parcels entering the country through this exemption made it increasingly difficult to screen them for possible illegal goods.

The BBC has contacted USPS to request more details about the decision.

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