The following is what you need to know about the tariffs as well as links to pertinent notices published in the Federal Register regarding effective dates, hearings, and the product exclusion process. For a partner to help navigate these tumultuous times, contact The Suarez Firm.

Section 232 Steel & Aluminum Tariffs

Feb 20, 2020 – Tariffs on Derivative Steel and Aluminum Imports

Feb 20, 2020 – US-China First Phase Trade Agreement

Updated September 19: Product Exclusion Request Updates

Updated April 8: Interim Final Rule

Updated March 30: Steel Exclusion Requests

Summary of Actions & U.S. Tariff Deadlines

February 8, 2020 – US imposes tariffs on derivative steel and aluminum imports.

December 19, 2019 – The US and China reach a Phase One trade deal.

May 31, 2018 – Exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and the European Union were removed for both steel and aluminum.

March 23, 2018 – South Korea and the U.S. agree in principle to a number of changes to the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS).

March 22, 2018 – Several countries including Australia, Argentina, South Korea, and Brazil were temporarily exempted until May 1, 2018.

March 8, 2018 – President Trump imposes tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. Canada and Mexico were temporarily exempted pending NAFTA negotiations.

Exclusions

Section 301 Tariffs

Updated April 4: Section 301 Tariff List

Updated July 18: Covered Products & More Updates

Updated August 23: Updates on Chinese Products and Product Exclusion Process

Updated May 17, 2019: May 2019 Updates on Section 301

Summary of Actions & U.S. Tariff Deadlines

UPDATE – August 2019 – On August 23, 2019, President Trump tweeted several times that he would raise Section 301 tariffs on the first three lists of $250 billion of imports from China from 25% to 30%.  He also tweeted that the next set of tariffs on approximately $300 billion of Chinese imports would be increased from 10% to 15%.  Trump said that the increased duties were in response to Chinese retaliatory tariffs announced August 23 on $75 billion in U.S. products.

In a Federal Register notice published on August 30, 2019, USTR made official the increase in duties from 10% to 15%, effective September 1, 2019 and December 15, 2019.

In another Federal Register notice published September 3, 2019, USTR proposes to increase tariffs from 25% to 30% on goods from China for three trade actions (specifically tranches 1, 2 and 3) with an approximate annual trade value of $250 billion, effective October 1, 2019.  USTR is giving interested parties until September 20, 2019 to address whether the additional duties for the particular item would be practicable or effective in addressing China’s misconduct. USTR also inquires whether subjecting the particular product would cause disproportionate economic harm to U.S. interests, including small- or medium-sized businesses and consumers.  This is an important opportunity for SME’s and consumers.

Deadline for Section 301 Product Exclusions Requests for Tranche 3 $200 billion is September 30, 2019

While the product exclusion process is closed for the first two tranches of $50 billion of imports from China, there is still time to ask for product exclusions from the third tranche $200 billion of imports. The deadline for asking for an exclusion is fast approaching as requests must be made by September 30, 2019.  For data on requests on the first two tranches, take a look at Mercatus website. Also, see USTR FAQs.

UPDATE – May 2019 – Tariffs on third tranche of Chinese goods enacted. A fourth list, valued at approximately $300 billion, is proposed.

UPDATE – A third list of about $200 billion worth of Chinese goods is proposed for either a 10% or 25% tariff.

UPDATE – A second list of Chinese goods, valued at approximately $16 billion, is subjected to a 25% ad valorem tariff effective August 23, 2018.

June 20, 2018 – USTR releases a list of Chinese goods to be subjected to a 25 percent ad valorem duty. This tariff, affecting approximately $34 billion worth of imports from China, went into effect July 6, 2018.

April 3, 2018 – USTR announces its proposed list of Chinese goods for imposition of a 25 percent ad valorem duty. This list covers 1300 tariff lines and is intended to be applied to about $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. The list covers a broad range of goods including semiconductors, tires, and medical products.

China’s State Council immediately announced retaliations against $50 billion in Chinese imports of U.S. goods covering 105 categories. Sorghum, beef, and airplanes are some of the targeted products.

Exclusions