US Census Bureau reports steep import drop amidst tariff uncertainty

US imports of goods experienced a sharp decline of 19.8 per cent in April, following a surge in the previous month, says a data released by the US Census Bureau.

In April, the total value of imported goods dropped to $276.1 billion, representing a decrease of $68.4 billion compared to March figures, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

This fluctuation is attributed to the imposition of import duties by President Donald Trump. Many US companies accelerated their purchases in March to avoid higher costs in April, leading to a temporary spike in imports followed by a significant drop the following month.

The data reflects the impact of trade policies on purchasing behavior and highlights the ongoing adjustments within the US supply chain in response to tariff changes.

On April 2, President Trump implemented a sweeping new import duty regime affecting 185 countries. The baseline tariff was set at 10 per cent on all imported goods, with significantly higher rates applied to certain nations—34 per cent for China, 46 per cent for Vietnam, and 20 per cent for the European Union. In retaliation, China imposed a 34 per cent tariff on American exports. The move drew widespread international condemnation, with global leaders warning of potential retaliatory measures.

Subsequently, on May 28, the US Court of International Trade temporarily blocked the enforcement of these duties. However, this decision was later overturned when an appeals court reinstated Trump’s executive orders imposing the tariffs.

Earlier reports revealed that the White House had devised a legal strategy to maintain the tariffs despite judicial challenges, underscoring the contentious and evolving nature of US trade policy under the previous administration.

By Vafa Guliyeva