US government releases proposed China tariff list
Washington, Apr 4 (IBNS): The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published a proposed list of products imported from China that could be subject to additional tariffs.
Following USTR’s Section 301 investigation, US President Donald Trump announced in March that the United States will impose tariffs on approximately $50 billion worth of Chinese imports and take other actions in response to China’s policies that 'coerce American companies into transferring their technology and intellectual property to domestic Chinese enterprises'.
"These policies bolster China’s stated intention of seizing economic leadership in advanced technology as set forth in its industrial plans, such as 'Made in China 2025'," said a statement issued by the Office of the U.S.Trade Representative.
The USTR said the proposed list of products is based on extensive interagency economic analysis and would target products that benefit from China’s industrial plans while minimizing the impact on the U.S. economy.
Sectors subject to the proposed tariffs include industries such as aerospace, information and communication technology, robotics, and machinery.
The proposed list covers approximately 1,300 separate tariff lines and will undergo further review in a public notice and comment process, including a hearing. After completion of this process, USTR will issue a final determination on the products subject to the additional duties.
"The total value of imports subject to the tariff increase is commensurate with an economic analysis of the harm caused by China’s unreasonable technology transfer policies to the U.S. economy, as covered by USTR’s Section 301 investigation," the USTR said in its statement.
The latest announcement was made just days after the USTR filed a request for consultations with China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address China’s technology licensing requirements.
"Such consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process. If the United States and China are unable to reach a solution through consultations, the United States may request the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel to review the matter," said the statement.
In a major development that can further escalate trade war between the two nations, China on Monday suspended tariff concessions on 128 items of U.S. products including pork and fruits starting Monday, media reports said.
The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council has decided to impose a tariff of 15 percent on 120 items of products imported from the United States including fruits and related products, and a tariff of 25 percent on eight items of imports including pork and related products from the country, Xinhua news agency of China reported quoting a statement posted on the country Ministry of Finance website.
"The statement said it was a countermeasure in response to a previous U.S. move to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports," read the Xinhua report.
Alleging years of intellectual property theft by China, the White House announced last month that it is planning to impose tariffs on Chinese imports.
The US said that it could impose tariffs up to $60bn on Chinese imports, stating that the action was an important measure to counter 'unfair competition' from China.
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