The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it plans to withdraw from an international treaty on postal rates in another moved aimed at pressuring China amid broader trade and political disputes.
The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it plans to withdraw from an international treaty on postal rates in another moved aimed at pressuring China amid broader trade and political disputes.
The United States intends to exit the system of setting postal rates for smaller packages under the Universal Postal Union “as soon as practical” and no later than Jan. 1,2020, said a statement released by the White House press secretary.
The United States will also file notice formally withdrawing from the union, which dates to 1874, the statement added.
The UPU, which comprises 192 countries, sets lower prices for small packages coming from emerging and developing countries, a group that still includes China.
The UPU, which is based in Berne, Switzerland, confirmed that it received official notice of the US plans.
UPU Director General Bishar Hussein “regrets” the decision and will seek to meet with US representatives to “further discuss the matter,” the UPU said in a press release.
