USTR Announces Next Steps in Statutory Four-Year Review of China 301 Tariffs

On October 12, 2022, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced the next steps in the statutory four-year 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 following requests to a continuation from representatives of domestic industries. 

As stated in a formal notice, USTR is seeking public comments that align with the statutory directive to consider the effectiveness of the actions in achieving the objectives of the investigation, other actions that could be taken, and the effects of the actions on the United States economy, including consumers. 

USTR is scheduled to open an electronic portal on November 15, 2022, that will include more detailed questions on these issues, including questions about the impact of the actions on U.S. workers, U.S. small businesses, U.S. manufacturing, critical supply chains, U.S. technological leadership, and possible tariff inversions (i.e., where additional tariffs on goods are lower than additional tariffs on inputs used to produce those goods). To help facilitate the public’s preparation of comments, USTR intends to post the questions by November 1, in advance of the docket opening. 

USTR’s formal notice of the next steps in the review is also posted on ustr.gov.

In May 2022, USTR commenced the statutory four-year review process by notifying representatives of domestic industries that benefit from the tariff actions of the possible termination of those actions and of the opportunity for the representatives to request continuation.  In September 2022, USTR announced that because requests for continuation were received, the tariff actions had not terminated and USTR would conduct a review of the tariff actions.

Crane Trade Services can assist you with questions regarding this matter.  For assistance please contact CWTSConsulting@craneww.com.