In a joint letter which is co-signed by several business, law enforcement and fentanyl victims groups, the groups state the president’s executive actions have “helped to level the playing field, restoring fairness for US manufacturers and laying the groundwork for reinvestment and job creation in the United States,” while closing “a dangerous gateway used by bad actors seeking to illegally funnel fentanyl and precursor chemicals and other illicit goods into the United States, contributing to the drug epidemic ravaging our communities.”
But the concern is that the work is coming undone as courts weigh the legitimacy of Trump’s tariff action.
The letter reads: “Insofar as recent or future court rulings overturn, nullify or introduce any uncertainty…we urge you to use existing executive authorities without hesitation to ensure the de minimis loophole remains closed for good.”
The letter challenges what it calls “defenders of de minimis” citing “the price surges, supply chain collapses, and delivery delays”, adding that when de minimis shipments from China, which accounted for the vast majority of all de minimis shipments into the United States, ended on 2 May, “no significant disruptions” followed, and major carriers quickly adapted.
“The most recent panic stoked by de minimis supporters, over the temporary suspension of low-value shipments to the United States by foreign postal operators in a handful of countries, also seems to be overblown. Only five percent of de minimis shipments to the United States entered through the mail. Private express carriers have adapted to the China/Hong Kong change with no disruption and will adapt to the end of de minimis globally, making import channels more secure and lawful. Foreign postal services are also adapting to the new rules. Some posts, like Royal Mail, resumed shipments after brief adjustments. Others, like Australia Post, have paused parcels temporarily while updating systems.
“We stand ready to continue challenging misconceptions about the end of de minimis being promoted by de minimis supporters and others, knowing how important closing this loophole has been for our economy and for the safety of our communities."
