USTR finalizes action on China tariffs following statutory four-year review
Proposed modifications announced in May 2024 were largely adopted, with several updates.
September 13, 2024
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced final modifications concerning the statutory review of the tariff actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation.
The proposed modifications announced in May 2024 (read TradeNewsFlash) were largely adopted, with several updates following review of more than 1,100 comments from the public.
According to today’s USTR release, the updates:
- Improve the effectiveness of the tariff actions in achieving the objectives of the investigation, while considering other actions that could be taken and the overall effects of the tariff actions on the U.S. economy
- Do not reflect further consideration or alteration of the review’s finding that, while China had changed some specific unfair measures, China’s harmful forced technology transfer practices have continued, and in some instances, worsened
- Include new timing and rates for tariffs on face masks, medical gloves, needles, and syringes; an exclusion for enteral syringes; a proposal regarding coverage of additional tungsten, wafers, and polysilicon tariff lines; an exclusion for ship-to-shore cranes ordered prior to May 14, 2024; an expansion of the scope of the machinery exclusions process to include five additional tariff lines; and modification of the coverage of proposed exclusions for solar manufacturing equipment
Read the notice of modification of actions as posted on the USTR website.