USTR concludes Four-Year Review of China section 301 Tariffs, Announces Further Modifications
Washington, D.C. – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has completed a four-year review of tariffs imposed on chinese goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, resulting in a series of modifications and continued evaluation of the measures. The review, initiated in 2022, assessed the effectiveness of the tariffs in addressing China’s unfair trade practices and their impact on the U.S. economy.
These tariffs, originally implemented during the Trump governance, have significantly impacted trade between the two nations, affecting businesses and consumers across various sectors. The USTR’s ongoing process involves soliciting public comments, analyzing economic data, and considering the evolving geopolitical landscape to determine the optimal path forward. The latest actions signal a continued willingness to adjust the tariff structure based on feedback and changing circumstances.
The USTR initiated the review process with a request for public comments in May 2024, publishing a Federal Register Notice outlining proposed tariff modifications and a machinery exclusion process. This was followed by the release of preview questions for the proposed modifications on May 24, 2024. Further agency data collection activities were announced in July and August 2024, including a request for comments and a request to the Office of Management and budget to approve renewal of the collection of information titled ‘301 Exclusion Requests.’
Throughout the summer and fall of 2024, the USTR continued to review public comments and issue further notices. On September 18, 2024, the agency announced Notice of Final Modifications. An additional request for comments on proposed tariff modifications was published on September 24, 2024. Most recently,on December 16,2024,the USTR issued a Notice of Modification of Actions specifically regarding tungsten.
The USTR also published a 2024 Four-Year Review report (available in Spanish) detailing the findings of the comprehensive assessment. These actions underscore the USTR’s commitment to maintaining a flexible and responsive trade policy, balancing the need to address unfair trade practices with the goal of minimizing disruptions to the U.S. economy.
