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Biden Administration Targets Shein and Temu in Crackdown on Trade Loophole Abuse
The Biden administration unveiled a series of measures on Friday aimed at curbing the “overuse and abuse” of the de minimis trade loophole, which allows low-value shipments to enter the U.S. without import duties or extensive scrutiny. A new proposed rule would block shipments subject to U.S.-China tariffs from using this exemption, a move that directly impacts Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu.
The de minimis loophole permits packages valued at less than $800 to bypass import fees and has seen a dramatic rise in usage, growing from 140 million to over a billion shipments in the last decade, according to White House estimates. The surge has been largely driven by companies like Shein and Temu, which ship low-cost clothing and household goods from China to U.S. consumers.
Officials argue that the increased volume of such shipments has made it harder to regulate and block unsafe or illegal imports. “The drastic increase in de minimis shipments has made it increasingly difficult to target and block illegal or unsafe shipments,” said Daleep Singh, deputy national security advisor for international economics.
The proposed rule would particularly affect products subject to tariffs under Section 301, Section 201, and Section 232, which apply to many Chinese imports, especially textiles. According to Singh, this change could significantly reduce the number of Chinese shipments using the de minimis exemption, impacting around 70% of textile and apparel imports from China.
Additionally, the administration plans to implement stricter reporting requirements for these shipments, including the need for more detailed data like tariff classification numbers. The White House also urged Congress to pass legislation to further overhaul the de minimis rules.
Severe flash floods and landslides in central Bosnia-Herzegovina have claimed at least 14 lives, with entire towns and villages left isolated by the destruction. The hardest-hit areas include the region around Jablanica, a town located between the cities of Mostar and Sarajevo, where homes were submerged, and landslides buried buildings in debris.
After an intense overnight storm, rivers overflowed, causing widespread flooding and leaving many people missing. Authorities have declared a state of emergency as they continue rescue and recovery efforts. Development Minister Vojin Mijatovic described the situation as a “terrible disaster” and urged residents to remain calm.
The floodwaters washed away roads, bridges, and railways, leaving infrastructure in ruins. In some areas, aerial images show communities completely inundated, with landslides further complicating rescue operations. A critical section of the M-17 road near Jablanica has been blocked by debris, and part of a railway track was left hanging after a landslide.
In Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, local officials have warned drivers to stay off roads near Jablanica due to the hazardous conditions. To the west, around Kiseljak, floodwaters left cars submerged and streets completely underwater, adding to the devastation. As rescue teams work tirelessly, the number of casualties is feared to rise in the coming days.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first rapid diagnostic test for mpox, a key development in curbing the rising global cases of the virus, previously known as monkeypox. The new PCR test can detect mpox DNA from skin lesion swabs, providing immediate results, significantly speeding up the process compared to current tests that require samples to be sent to a laboratory, causing delays.
This breakthrough is expected to be especially helpful in Africa, where limited testing capacity has exacerbated the spread of mpox. Of the 30,000 suspected cases in Africa this year, only 40% have been confirmed through existing tests, according to WHO data. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the hardest-hit country with 635 deaths from mpox this year, is set to launch an mpox vaccination program this Saturday.
Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general, hailed the new diagnostic tool as a “significant milestone” in increasing access to quality healthcare products. This new test is expected to strengthen efforts to contain the virus, particularly in underserved regions.
The Israeli government has banned United Nations Secretary General António Guterres from entering Israel, following his response to a missile attack launched by Iran. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Guterres for not directly condemning Iran’s aggression, labeling him an “anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists.”
Iran recently fired 180 ballistic missiles into Israel, marking an escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. Guterres responded by calling for an end to the escalating violence in the Middle East but refrained from specifically condemning Iran’s attack, which drew sharp criticism from the Israeli government.
In a statement, Katz declared Guterres persona non grata, stressing that individuals who do not clearly condemn attacks on Israel should not be allowed into the country. This follows a year of heightened tensions, with growing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah.
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