The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that a new 10 percent import duty on cellphones, laptops and many other consumers goods made in China will be delayed until December 15, 2019 Â instead of taking effect on September 1 as originally planned.
The delayed items, which also include video game consoles, toys, computer monitors and footwear and clothing account for more than half of the $300 billion worth of Chinese imports that are part of the latest round of U.S. tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the reason for the delay was to avoid punishing U.S. consumers before the winter holiday shopping season. Items that will still face a 10 percent tariff on September include beef, pork and other food and agricultural items.