By Washington, D.C., Staff
President Trump has delayed a scheduled increase in tariffs on certain Chinese products, noting that U.S. and Chinese negotiators had made substantial progress in resolving trade disputes. Ten percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods that were scheduled to rise to 25% on March 2 have been postponed for an unfixed period of time. The 10% tariffs were imposed last September. The tariffs were in addition to 25% tariffs imposed on $50 billion worth of Chinese products.
“SEMA welcomes progress in the talks between the United States and China to resolve trade disputes,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “SEMA supports the administration’s efforts to address China’s unfair trading practices, but the use of tariffs as a negotiating tool has caused harm to many SEMA member companies.”
U.S. and Chinese officials are drafting six separate agreements that will cover agriculture, services, non-tariff barriers, currency, intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers, and cybersecurity.
In related news, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will soon create an exclusion process for the tariffs imposed on the $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. Companies will be able to obtain an exclusion if they can demonstrate that the product is available only from China, that the duties will cause severe economic harm, and that the good is strategically important. The exclusion request process was mandated under the spending bill signed into law in late January to reopen the federal government. Companies were able to seek exclusions for the 25% tariffs imposed on the $50 billion worth of products but not the 10% tariffs. SEMA will provide a link to request an exclusion when it is published by the USTR.
To follow is a summary of the current tariffs and Harmonized Tariff Code listings.
Chinese Products: 25% tariffs have been imposed on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, and 10% tariffs on another $200 billion worth of goods. The imposition dates for the $50 billion tariffs were staggered: July 6 for $34 billion and August 23 for $16 billion. Tariffs for the $200 billion in goods began on September 24, 2018.
$34 billion: 818 Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools, measurement and medical devices: USTR China Tariff List 1
$16 billion: 279 Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including many types of plastics: USTR China Tariff List 2
$200 billion: 5,745 Harmonized Tariff Code listings, including many auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires, steering wheel components, rubber gaskets, transmission belts, brake pads, windshields and suspension springs: USTR China Tariff List 3
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org


Hellwig Products now offers a new upgraded rear sway bar for the 2014-18 Ram 3500 pickup with the factory air suspension that is said to reduce lateral sway and provide more acute responsiveness to steering input. The thicker, 1 5/16-inch-diameter Hellwig sway bar fits two- and four-wheel drives in either single- or dual-rear-wheel applications with the 6.7L Cummins diesel. Forged from 4140 chrome-moly steel and heat treated for durability, this bolt-on upgrade includes new adjustable-length heavy-duty end links to match any load or ride height. The sway bar can be installed with simple hand tools; it comes with all necessary parts and hardware; and it comes with a Lifetime Warranty on all steel parts. For 2014-2018 Ram 3500s without the air suspension, a similarly upgraded rear sway bar (PN 7298) can be ordered.
Smittybilt introduces a full line of application-specific protective covers for the 2018-present Jeep Wrangler JL. The JL Climate Cover (PN 845) is a water-resistant, four-layer full body cover that protects the JL’s finish from sun and dirt while allowing trapped air, heat or moisture to escape. The double-stitched elastic hems provide a custom fit while leaving ample room for a rear-mounted spare tire. For Jeeps without tops or doors, the JL Cab Cover (PN 10701) covers all the exposed areas of the body tub and provides full coverage of open door areas. The MOLLE Bag Kit (PN 56333) utilizes five sturdy bags to store clothing, accessories and trail necessities, and the G.E.A.R. MOLLE Visor Cover (PN 56644) is a convenient overhead organizer that can hold pens, sunglasses, mini-flashlights or other small tools and items in its PALS-style webbing.
The new Lava Wastegate Shield™ from Heatshield Products protects the turbocharger wastegate and its critical internal components from excessive heat exposure. Because the wastegate is mounted on the exhaust side of the turbocharger, it’s often subjected to high temperatures, which can damage the wastegate valve. Protecting the wastegate from heat exposure can increase wastegate diaphragm life and result in more consistent actuation of the wastegate by insulating the diaphragm from extreme temperature fluctuations. The shield’s outer layer has a heat rating of 1,200 degrees (F), and the inner layer is said to help the entire shield withstand constant temperatures of 1,800 degrees (F) and intermittent temperatures of 2,200 degrees (F). In most cases, removal of the turbo is not required for installation, and it can be uninstalled and reinstalled after multiple heat cycles.
AutoMeter introduces its new Air Locker pressure gauges for Jeeps and other vehicles equipped with air-actuated locking differentials. The precision mechanical Air Locker gauge allows drivers to monitor onboard air pressure from within the cabin, which enables vehicle operators to troubleshoot supply settings and detect loss of system pressure, which in turn could prevent proper engagement and potentially damage the driveline. The gauge kit includes 1/8-inch nylon line, 1/8-inch NPT compression fittings, 1/4-inch NPT adapter, bulb and socket assembly, red and green bulb covers, mounting hardware, and detailed instructions for installation. Available in Ultra-Lite (PN 4430) or Traditional Chrome (2430) finishes. or with special Jeep branding (PN 880792), the Air Locker Gauges can help provide 4x4 owners with greater peace of mind on the trail.