Donald Trump loves a bit of American exceptionalism. But here's one accolade that we won't be hearing from the mouth of the president: the US is set to be the only major economy to suffer a decline in tourism spending this year. The verdict comes from the World Travel and Tourism Council ... And while it is just a projection, it isn't exactly out of line with some of the things that we know are happening, with foreign visitors to the States down by 12 per cent year on year.
Turkey joins US, Canada, Croatia, Japan in confronting a decline in July tourism as visitor numbers fall this year, creating new challenges for destinations that depend heavily on travel revenues.
www.travelandtourworld.com
Turkey, Canada, Croatia, Japan
_NOT 'major nations', per anti-US propaganda.
What's the qualification to be a 'major nations'?
... with foreign visitors to the States down by 12 per cent year on year ...
That's a significant decrease.
How much do overseas visitors spend in the USA each year?
roadgenius.com
... Spending by international visitors in 2024 set a new peak with $253.9 billion, a 28.7% increase from 2023 ($213.1 billion), and is approximately 27.5% higher than the 2019 levels. ...
Oh, great.
Now, in addition to tourism into the US decreasing, the postal services of other countries are suspending package deliveries to the US.
Global mail carriers suspend U.S. deliveries amid confusion over new duties
www.nbcnews.com
... Postal services across the world are halting shipments to the United States this week amid mounting confusion over new import duties that will apply to parcels starting Friday.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month abolishing the trade loophole known as "de minimis," which since 2016 had allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. ...
The planned policy shift, which operators say lacks clear procedures, has raised concerns about backlogs as services are put on hold. ...
De Minimis: A Vital Tax Exemption
www.nftc.org
... The NFTC is committed to supporting policies that help U.S.-based businesses reach consumers, navigate complex supply chains and manage rising costs in the global economy. That's why we are working to ensure that the thousands of American small businesses that use a vital, Congressionally supported tax exemption knows as de minimis can maintain access to it. ...
Why did Congress Pass the De Minimis Tax Exemption?
IT REDUCES INFLATIONARY PRESSURE AND SUPPLY CHAIN DELAYS:
The de minimis tax exemption allows goods to be shipped quickly and affordably " benefits every American gained an appreciation for during the pandemic. At a time when our nation's small businesses are continuing to shoulder the pressures of inflation and a slowly recovering supply chain, they cannot afford to be burdened again through the elimination or reduction of the de minimis tax exemption. The last thing lawmakers should be considering coming out of the pandemic is to raise taxes and increase red tape for small businesses.
IT ALLOWS CBP TO CONCENTRATE LIMITED RESOURCES WHERE THEY MAKE THE MOST IMPACT:
Removing de minimis would shift the CPB's focus away from the border, where a vast majority of illegal substances and products are entering the country. CBP would need to hire and train new personnel, costing the agency millions or causing them to move agents from the already overburdened southern border. ...
CBP Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Enhance Enforcement as to Low-Value Shipments
www.cbp.gov
... On average, CBP processes over 4 million de minimis shipments into the U.S. each day. ...
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