USTR seeks public touch upon restoring tariffs on Chinese language medical merchandise

By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Commerce Consultant’s Workplace stated on Thursday it’s looking for public touch upon whether or not to revive tariffs on 81 Chinese language medical product import classes associated to the combat towards COVID-19.

The commerce company stated in an announcement that it was extending exclusions from tariffs on the 81 merchandise imposed by former president Donald Trump for one more 75 days via Might 15 to permit for feedback from business and different stakeholders.

The exclusions from 7.5% tariffs on the merchandise, together with face masks, examination gloves and hand sanitizing wipes, had been as a consequence of expire on Feb. 28. The exclusions had been first granted in 2020 and had been routinely prolonged since then because the COVID-19 pandemic wore on.

In response to a Federal Register discover, USTR will open a docket for feedback from Feb 6 via March 7.

The transfer to contemplate restoring the tariffs comes as USTR conducts a four-year assessment of the Part 301 tariffs and senior U.S. and Chinese language officers have pledged to re-engage on financial points after years of escalating tensions.

(Reporting by David Lawder; enhancing by Jonathan Oatis and Deepa Babington)