On May 29, 2018, President Trump stated that USTR shall announce by June 15 the imposition of an additional duty of 25 percent on approximately $50 billion worth of Chinese imports containing industrially significant technologies, including those related to China's "Made in China 2025" industrial policy.
Today's action comes after an exhaustive Section 301 investigation in which USTR found that China's acts, policies and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable and discriminatory, and burden U.S. commerce.
"We must take strong defensive actions to protect America's leadership in technology and innovation against the unprecedented threat posed by China's theft of our intellectual property, the forced transfer of American technology, and its cyber attacks on our computer networks," said Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. "China's government is aggressively working to undermine America's high-tech industries and our economic leadership through unfair trade practices and industrial policies like 'Made in China 2025.' Technology and innovation are America's greatest economic assets and President Trump rightfully recognizes that if we want our country to have a prosperous future, we must take a stand now to uphold fair trade and protect American competitiveness."
The 2 lists of products issued today covers 1,102 separate U.S. tariff lines valued at approximately $50 billion in 2018 trade values.
CBP will begin to collect the additional duties on the 818 product lines in the first list July 6, 2018.
The second list, containing 284 proposed tariff lines, must still undergo further review in a public notice and comment process, including a public hearing. After completion of this process, USTR will issue a final determination on the products from this list that would be subject to the additional duties.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please reach out to your Janel Account Representative.