Welcome to the year of the snake. The traditional Chinese zodiac calendar would have that we are for a time of transformation – which certainly seems correct. But if you also combine snakes with lurking danger, you may not be too far from the brand.
The new year has been here in western countries for almost a month, but it started in China this week. The New Year's celebration of the lunar year, which begins the massive annual migration of hundreds of millions of citizens who return to their hometown to be with their families. If the 15-day ritual is the same as in previous years, it could use a change in the way China does business with the United States, since every country uses political playing to achieve a competitive advantage.
For the American sector of American furniture and furnishings, which despite some efforts to reduce these levels in recent years. In less turbulent times, the biggest concerns for importers in the New Year are usually related to the production break in China and the time delay in the recording of programs. Recently, slow terms and conditions and high stocks in the United States have reduced the effects of the Chinese factory qualifications, but this year the industry has different problems.
Much of this tension and uncertainty results from the hard attitude of the new Trump government towards China, which at least initially seems to be much more aggressive than during its first government. From tariff threats to the revocation of China's trade status in China, this new year could differ radically from 2024.
Here are some of the areas of dispute:
Tariff
After a selection of campaign statements that threatened the customs hikes of up to 100 percent, Trump started 10 days ago and said that his administration would impose a tax of 10 percent on everything from China (and 25 percent tariffs for Canadian and Mexican goods). Overall on February 1st. Allegedly, these new tariffs are responding to the illegal immigration and imports of narcotics, but they are also political attitude when the new president aggressively implement his campaign promise.
For his part, China has promised to take revenge in the country with its own tariffs for American goods. And although the products of home products are exported very little to China, manufacturers of automobiles, aircraft, consumer electronics and well-known brands such as Marlboro and McDonald's would be in a tit-for act.
Review of trade policy
Trump ordered a complete review of all trade agreements and guidelines in the federal authorities with recommendations and analyzes on April 1st. This gives more than 60 days a period of 60 days for negotiations, the trade test also contains the review of trade. New administration with the possibility of supporting political changes in an analysis and not just political rhetoric. A key element that is likely to be examined is the de-minimis guideline that enables e-commerce sellers such as Shein and Temu to work in the USA with low or no import duties. (The programs are not subject to taxes or obligations if they are rated below 800 USD per customer and day.) However, the outgoing bidet management made a last attempt to tackle the problem, but could never find a practical answer.
Revocation of trade status
Members of the congress of both parties introduced laws last week, which were granted the status of the United States in the United States, which was first granted by the USCHINA relationship law of 2000. However, many of these measures have effectively ended the tariffs of the first Trump administration and its continuation among bidges, according to analysts. If this new legislation is signed in the law, it would appeal to many of the elements that are checked in Trump's decree of April 1st.
The Chinese New Year's celebration ends on February 12, and it is unlikely that one of these wider problems will be solved when the employees return to their jobs after vacation. But for importers and retailers who do business with China, the operations are very strongly applied by the balance of 2025 and the rest of the Trump presidency.
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Warren Shoulberg is the former editor -in -chief for several leading B2B publications. He was a guest lecturer at Columbia University Graduate School of Business. received awards from the International Furnishings and Design Association and the Fashion Institute of Technology; and was quoted by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN And other media as a leading industry expert. His columns in retail offers deep industry knowledge in important markets and product categories.