A new US report claims China has been moving goods through countries with lower tariffs to avoid higher American levies, with the White House estimating tens of billions of dollars in lost revenue each year.
Key facts
- A new US report says China moved goods through nations with lower tariffs to dodge higher levies, according to the BBC.
- A White House report claims tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue is being lost to transshipments, according to Al Jazeera.
- The report accuses dozens of countries of helping China avoid Trump's tariffs.
- The findings were reported on 14 August 2026.
The United States has accused dozens of countries of helping China avoid tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, according to reporting by the BBC and Al Jazeera. A new US report at the center of the claims says goods originating in China were rerouted through third countries to sidestep higher American levies.
According to the BBC, the report said China had moved goods through nations with lower tariffs in order to dodge the steeper duties applied to Chinese products. The practice effectively allows Chinese-made goods to enter the US market at a reduced tariff rate by passing through an intermediary country first.
Al Jazeera reported that the White House document claims tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue is being lost as a result of these so-called transshipments. The term refers to shipments that are routed through one or more additional countries before reaching their final destination.
The report accuses dozens of countries of playing a role in this rerouting, though the specific nations were not detailed in the available source material. The accusation places the spotlight on the broader network of trade partners through which Chinese goods may be passing.
The claims underscore ongoing tensions over Trump’s tariff regime and the challenges of enforcing it across global supply chains. Both outlets published their reports on 14 August 2026.
Why it matters
Tariffs are a central tool of US trade policy, and claims that they are being widely circumvented raise questions about their effectiveness and enforcement. If tens of billions of dollars in revenue are being lost annually, the findings could shape how Washington deals with China and other trade partners going forward.
Frequently asked questions
What is a transshipment?
According to Al Jazeera, transshipments involve routing goods through additional countries before they reach their final destination. In this case, the US report claims China moved goods through nations with lower tariffs to avoid higher American levies.
How much revenue does the US say it is losing?
Al Jazeera reported that the White House document claims tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue is being lost to transshipments.
Which countries are accused?
The reports say dozens of countries are accused of helping China avoid the tariffs, but the specific nations were not named in the available source material.