Trump’s Tariffs Drive a Rise in Trade Crime

nytimes.comPublished: 5/27/2025

Summary

The U.S. government has seen a surge in customs fraud involving Chinese companies attempting to bypass tariffs by altering shipment details or moving goods through other countries with lower tariffs. While the Trump administration is taking steps to combat this issue, many American businesses warn that the scale of fraudulent activities far exceeds the ability of governments worldwide to address it effectively. This growing problem is costing billions annually in tariff revenue and leaving honest companies at a disadvantage compared to dishonest competitors.