Under U.S. tax law, the de minimis exemption lets companies avoid import taxes and customs inspections on international shipments with a retail value of

The tariffs have also provoked political tension, including retaliation from China, which responded to Trump's move with tariffs on US goods and an anti-monopoly probe of Google, among other measures. The speed with which China filed its complaint with the WTO is an indication of Beijing's readiness for the trade fight.