Section 301 Investigation Launched on China's Compliance With Phase One Deal
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is launching a Section 301 investigation on how China implemented -- or failed to implement -- its commitments in the phase one trade agreement. It will examine if there was a burden on U.S. commerce from non-implementation "and what action, if any, should be taken in response."
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"The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump Administration’s resolve to hold China to its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people," Greer said in a release Oct. 24.
A docket for comments will open Oct. 31 at https://comments.ustr.gov/s/, with comments due by 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 1. Requests to appear at a public hearing, to be held on Dec. 16, also are due by that time and date.
The notice, set to be published in the Federal Register, said the U.S. has repeatedly engaged with China to address implementation concerns, yet "China appears not to have lived up to its commitments under the Phase One Agreement with respect to non-tariff barriers, market access issues, and purchases of U.S. goods and services."
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is asking for comments to include "concrete examples of non-implementation of specific commitments," as well as estimates of the burden on U.S. commerce.
It's asking commenters what action, if any, should be taken, including the level and scope of duties on Chinese goods, the level and scope of restrictions on Chinese services, and the level and scope of import restrictions on Chinese goods.