U.S. Government Accepting Public Comments Regarding Section 301 Tariff Changes

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has opened an online portal to receive public comments concerning the agency’s proposed modifications to tariffs covering a broad range of imports from China. Interested parties can submit comments here.

As Connecting the Dots explained last month, USTR’s decision affects approximately $18 billion in Chinese imports, including steel, aluminum, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, semiconductors, and medical products. The tariffs fall under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are separate from the Section 232 tariffs also in place on imports of steel and aluminum into the United States from some countries, including China.

Specifically, the White House has proposed to raise rates on:

• Certain steel and aluminum products from 7.5 percent to 25 percent in 2024, which, again, are in addition to existing Section 232 tariffs;
• Semiconductors from 25 percent to 50 percent by 2025;
• EVs from 25 percent to 100 percent in 2024;
• Solar cells from 25 percent to 50 percent in 2024;
• Lithium batteries for EVs and critical minerals from 7.5 percent to 25 percent in 2024; and
• Ship-to-shore cranes from zero percent to 25 percent in 2024.

Click here to make your voice heard.