China Tariff Review Results Expected This Fall

After enduring Section 301 tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of imports from China for more than five years, importers could get at least some relief in the next few months.

The tariffs would have expired in summer 2022, but the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced in September that it had received numerous requests to continue them. USTR subsequently opened a two-month comment period seeking input on whether the tariffs had been effective in remedying problematic Chinese policies and practices, whether there are measures other than tariffs that might be more effective, and how the tariffs had impacted U.S. consumers, manufacturers, workers, technology, and supply chain resilience.

USTR Katherine Tai recently told members of Congress that the agency expects to complete its review this fall. She indicated that USTR is open to changes to the tariffs, including removing them on some goods and adding them on others. Among other things, she said, USTR will be looking at “how to make the tariffs more strategic in light of impacts on sectors of the U.S. economy as well as the goal of increasing domestic manufacturing.”

Tai also said USTR will consider “whether an additional [tariff] exclusions process may be warranted” as well as “ways a future exclusion could be altered to be more effective.” More than 300 exclusions are still in place but are currently scheduled to expire Sept. 30. ST&R is continuing to advocate for the renewal of all previously approved exclusions and the creation of a process allowing for new exclusion requests; please contact strdc@strtrade.com for more information.

In the meantime, there are a number of proven and legitimate ways to effectively avoid the tariffs or limit their impact. In addition, importers of List 3 and 4A goods from China can still preserve their rights to possible refunds of tariffs paid on such goods by joining an ongoing court case; please contact us for more information or assistance filing a claim.