USTR Proposes Modifications to Section 301 Tariffs

Posted by Timothy Miller on 5/14/24 5:00 PM

In a press release published on May 14, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced proposed changes to Section 301 tariffs on certain goods from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

At the direction of President Biden, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has proposed the following modifications to Section 301 duties in 2024:

Battery parts (non-lithium-ion batteries)

Increase rate to 25% in 2024

Electric vehicles        

Increase rate to 100% in 2024

Facemasks      

Increase rate to 25% in 2024

Lithium-ion electrical vehicle batteries         

Increase rate to 25% in 2024

Other critical minerals

Increase rate to 25% in 2024

Ship to shore cranes   

Increase rate to 25% in 2024

Solar cells (whether or not assembled into modules)

Increase rate to 50% in 2024

Steel and aluminum products

Increase rate to 25% in 2024

Syringes and needles             

Increase rate to 50% in 2024


Additionally, certain products including semiconductors, medical gloves, and natural graphite will see an increase in duty rate in 2025 and 2026.

An exclusion process for machinery used in domestic manufacturing, including certain solar manufacturing equipment, was also proposed.

The USTR announced that it will release a Federal Register notice in the week of May 20, 2024, with more details on the proposed changes, procedures on how to provide comments, and the domestic manufacturing exclusions.

The USTR press release can be found here:
https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2024/may/us-trade-representative-katherine-tai-take-further-action-china-tariffs-after-releasing-statutory

The full report of the statutory four-year review can be found here:
https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/05.13.2024%20Four%20Year%20Review%20of%20China%20Tech%20Transfer%20Section%20301%20(Final)%20rev.pdf

The fact sheet published by the White House can be found here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/14/fact-sheet-president-biden-takes-action-to-protect-american-workers-and-businesses-from-chinas-unfair-trade-practices/

Topics: China, USTR, section 301

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