White House claims billions lost each year to tariff evasion through third countries

The Trump administration has accused major world economies of routing exports through more than 40 third countries to avoid US tariffs, claiming in a report on Thursday that the practice results in annual tax revenue losses of between $19 billion (€16.4bn) and $26 billion (€22.4bn).

Pointing a finger at China and India, Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, told reporters the administration would incorporate anti-transhipment clauses into new trade rules, and that partners found enabling the practice would face consequences.