The Trump administration is proposing to further escalate its efforts to address concerns with China’s policies on intellectual property protection by imposing an additional ten percent duty on 6,031 tariff lines from China with an import value of approximately $200 billion. This action would be in addition to the 25 percent tariff imposed on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods effective July 6 and a proposal to extend that tariff to an additional $16 billion worth of imports from China at some yet-to-be-determined date. These actions follow a Section 301 investigation determined that China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable and discriminatory.
The full list of products that could be subject to the additional 10 percent tariff is here (starts on p. 11).
Click here for ST&R’s web page providing comprehensive information on all U.S. tariffs imposed under Section 301 and Section 232 as well as the retaliatory tariffs trading partners are levying on U.S. goods.
USTR will hold a public hearing Aug. 20-23 in Washington, D.C., to receive input on the proposed ten percent tariff. Requests to appear at the hearing, summaries of expected testimony, and pre-hearing submissions are due by July 27 and post-hearing rebuttal comments are due by Aug. 30. USTR is also accepting written comments through Aug. 17.
With such a large volume and value of imports from China subject to the proposed tariff, companies importing from China should act now to assess how it may impact their supply chains. If you think you might be negatively affected, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or Kristen Smith at (202) 730-4965 to review the list and discuss options, alternatives, and actions that might be pursued to protect your interests.