U.S. exporters say China is quietly restricting American goods through unofficial barriers like customs delays and licensing slowdowns
POLITICO
Despite the ongoing tariff standoff between Washington and Beijing, U.S. exporters say China is quietly throttling American goods through behind-the-scenes restrictions. According to U.S. industry officials and trade analysts, Beijing has been slowing customs clearances, delaying licenses, and tightening regulatory hurdles — all without formal announcements or policy changes.
“It’s not about tariffs anymore. They’re choking off access in ways that are harder to track,” said a U.S. trade executive familiar with the situation.
Sectors including agriculture, semiconductors, and manufacturing have reported a rise in rejected shipments and unexplained holdups at Chinese ports. These tactics, experts say, allow China to retaliate against U.S. trade actions without violating World Trade Organization rules outright.
