USTR Will Solicit Comments on Effectiveness of Section 301 Tariffs, Better Alternatives
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is soliciting comments on how effective Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports have been in convincing China to change its policies "related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation" -- something USTR Katherine Tai has acknowledged the U.S. is not able to do.
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It also wants to know if they are effective in "counteracting China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation," which is what she says their real purpose is. The office is asking for suggestions of other actions -- or ways to modify the tariffs -- "that would be more effective in obtaining the elimination of or in counteracting China’s" policies in these areas.
USTR is also asking for comments on how the tariffs have affected U.S. consumers and the U.S. economy.
The comment portal at comments.USTR.gov will open Nov. 15, and will close Jan. 17, 2023.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, in a call with reporters Oct. 12, said the administration will be evaluating how to continue the Section 301 actions on Chinese imports "through the particular prism of, you know, what ultimately is going to strengthen the hand of the U.S. industrial innovation base and our workforce here in the United States."
He said USTR is looking at each product's tariff, what the impact of that additional tariff has been "and then looking at ways that the U.S. can more effectively approach our trade policy with China to ensure that we are achieving the strategic priorities the President has laid out, which is the strongest possible American industrial and innovation base and a level playing field for American workers.
"So, that's the process that was launched a few weeks ago. It will continue over the coming months, and it will produce outcomes and recommendations to the President about a way forward."