Law & Order

U.S. Trade Representative Grants Tariff Exclusion Requests for 200 Products From China

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has processed additional requests for exclusions from the 25% tariffs imposed on Lists 1 and 2 imports from China. About 200 product lines were exempted, ranging from thermometers, tubes and adhesive tape, to a variety of DC electric motors. 

Many exclusion requests have yet to be processed by the USTR for List 1, List 2 and List 3 imports. For products not exempted, the 25% tariffs are scheduled to increase to 30% on October 15, 2019. Lists 1 and 2 goods are valued at $50 billion and include some miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools and measurement devices. List 3 covers about $200 billion worth of products, including many auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires, transmission belts, brake pads and suspension springs.

View the products granted exemptions:

  • List 1: Implemented July 6, 2018: exclusion lasts until October 2, 2020.
  • List 2: Implemented August 23, 2018: exclusion lasts until October 2, 2020.

In other news, the U.S. government is imposing tariffs against the European Union for subsidies provided to Airbus that were ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization. It is a 15-year battle between Airbus and Boeing. While the United States was also found to have provided Boeing with illegal subsidies, the case was delayed for nine months, preventing the EU from enacting retaliatory tariffs until next year. The $7.5 billion in U.S. tariffs will take effect October 18. Tariffs of 10% will be imposed on large civil aircraft and 25% tariffs will be assessed on agricultural and other products. Imported motorcycles were on the initial proposed product list but have been removed from the final list.