U.S. says Canada among China’s ‘biggest enablers’ in avoiding Trump tariffs

A new White House trade report says the Trump administration considers Canada among China’s “biggest enablers” in avoiding U.S. tariffs through transshipment, a “modern form of smuggling” that the U.S. claims is costing billions in lost tax revenue. The report released Thursday from the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy — titled “The Great Transshipment Scam” and featuring a timely image of a Trojan horse on the front page — accuses China of routing their exports through third countries with more favourable U.S. tariff rates.An estimated 40 countries, including Canada, comprise a “shadow transshipment network” used by China, the report argues.“In plain terms, illegal transshipment is smuggling disguised as trade — fraud cloaked in paperwork — and, in truth, nothing new,” the report says, adding what has changed is the “breadth, depth, and sophistication” of China’s network. Story continues below advertisement “The countries that comprise China’s Shadow Transshipment Network include many of America’s largest trading partners. China’s biggest enablers range from Mexico and Canada on U.S. land borders to the European Union, India, Japan, and South Korea.”All those trading partn...