Amid the trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump's imposition of extra tariffs on China, the US Postal Service (USPS) said on Tuesday (February 4, local time) said that it was temporarily suspending delivery of parcels from China and Hong Kong. USPS said that the policy goes into effect on February 4.
Delivery of letters and flats from China and Hong Kong will not be affected and the new announcement is only applicable to delivery of parcels.
The department made the announcement officially on it website.
"Effective Feb. 4, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend only international package acceptance of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong Posts until further notice. Note the flow of letters and flats from China and Hong Kong will not be impacted," said USPS.
The US and China are in the middle of tariff war which may escalate into a wider trade war. Trump imposed extra 10 per cent of tariff on Chinese imports into US just days ago.
China has responded by imposition of additional tariffs on US goods. These include 15 per cent tariff on liquefied natural gas and coal and also 10 per cent of tariffs on crude oil. These tariffs come into effect on February 10.
While China has slammed US step to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, it has also kept door open for talks with the US.
Several Western news outlets have reported that Trump is likely to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. A specific timeline for the talks has not been made public by the American side but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted in media reports as saying that the talks will happen 'soon'.
