US court rules Trump can end tariff exemption for small parcels

WASHINGTON – A trade court ruled on Aug 13 that President Donald Trump could halt a tariff exemption for small packages entering the country, rejecting a challenge to the US leader’s earlier move. Trump had acted last year to end the “de minimis” exemption for parcels valued at US$800 (S$1024.64) or less, citing the use of low-value shipments to avoid tariffs and smuggle drugs. This had sparked concern from small businesses, which experts said have less buffer to absorb shocks, unlike larger consumer platforms like Chinese-founded Shein and Temu. Both were hit when Washington previously closed the exception for Chinese…