Our International Trade & Regulatory Group discusses the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s request for comments to modify Section 301 duties on Chinese products due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On March 25, 2020, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice requesting public comments on possible further modifications to remove Section 301 duties imposed on Chinese-origin products to address the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Current additional Section 301 duties on products of China range from 7.5% to 25%. The docket for comments will remain open at least until June 25, 2020, and the USTR invites interested persons to submit comments as promptly as possible.

Specifically, the USTR invites comments on whether a particular product covered by the Section 301 action is needed to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, the comment may address whether a product is directly used to treat COVID-19 or to limit the outbreak or whether the product is used in the production of needed medical-care products. Comments may be submitted regarding any product covered by the Section 301 action, regardless of whether the product is subject to a pending or denied exclusion request or has never been the subject of an exclusion request.

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