China vowed Friday to retaliate if the Trump administration carries out its threat to impose the 10 percent List 4 Section 301 tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports not previously dutied (see 1908010059). If the U.S. “imposes tariff measures and implements them” as threatened Sept. 1, “China will have to take necessary countermeasures to resolutely defend the core interests of the country and the fundamental interests of the people,” said a Commerce Ministry spokesperson. “All the consequences will be borne by the US.”

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued its first set of product exclusions from the third group of Section 301 tariffs on goods from China. The new exclusions from the tariffs include "10 specially prepared product descriptions" and cover 15 separate requests, according to the notice. The product exclusions apply retroactively to Sept. 24, 2018, the date the third set of tariffs took effect at 10 percent. The tariffs were subsequently increased to 25 percent. The exclusions will remain in effect until one year after the notice is published.

The majority of companies and a trade group representing metal fabricators oppose the inclusion of brass and other copper alloys on the Airbus retaliation list, but two firms said Germany's dominance in the field is unfair and should be countered. Sixteen players in the metals industry, 14 in the U.S. and two from Europe, testified Aug. 5 at a hearing considering what items should be put on the retaliation list for Europe's subsidies of Airbus launches. The World Trade Organization has ruled that the European Union has not complied with rulings on the subsidies, and that the U.S. is entitled to rebalancing tariffs, but an arbitrator has not yet said how large the tariff action can be (see 1904090031).

China vowed Friday to retaliate if the Trump administration carries out its threat to impose the 10 percent List 4 Section 301 tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports not previously dutied (see 1908010059). If the U.S. “imposes tariff measures and implements them” as threatened Sept. 1, “China will have to take necessary countermeasures to resolutely defend the core interests of the country and the fundamental interests of the people,” said a Commerce Ministry spokesperson. “All the consequences will be borne by the US.”

Questions abound about President Donald Trump’s decision Thursday to put 10 percent List 4 Section 301 tariffs into effect on Chinese imports Sept. 1. Since Trump can’t legally impose List 4 by tweets, all eyes will await the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative notice soon to be published in the Federal Register detailing which product categories, if any, are spared from the final duties.

Questions abound about President Donald Trump’s decision Thursday to put 10 percent List 4 Section 301 tariffs into effect on Chinese imports Sept. 1. Since Trump can’t legally impose List 4 by tweets, all eyes will await the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative notice soon to be published in the Federal Register detailing which product categories, if any, are spared from the final duties.

CBP added the ability in ACE for importers to file entries with the first group of excluded goods from the second tranche of Section 301 tariffs on Aug. 1, it said in a CSMS message. Filers of imported products that were granted an exclusion (see 1907290023) should report the regular Chapters 39, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 90 Harmonized Tariff Schedule number, as well as subheading 9903.88.12, for products subject to Section 301 duties on products from China but that have been granted an exclusion by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. “Importers shall not submit the corresponding Chapter 99 HTS number for the Section 301 duties when HTS 9903.88.12 is submitted,” CBP said.

Questions abound about President Donald Trump’s decision Thursday to put 10 percent List 4 Section 301 tariffs into effect on Chinese imports Sept. 1. Since Trump can’t legally impose List 4 by tweets, all eyes will await the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative notice soon to be published in the Federal Register detailing which product categories, if any, are spared from the final duties.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin traveled to Shanghai for July 30 and 31 talks on a comprehensive U.S.-China trade deal, the White House said July 30. Vice Premier Liu He and Commerce Minister Zhong Shan led the Chinese delegation, it said. “The two sides discussed topics such as forced technology transfer, intellectual property rights, services, non-tariff barriers, and agriculture.” The Chinese “confirmed their commitment to increase purchases” of U.S. agricultural exports, it said. “The meetings were constructive, and we expect negotiations on an enforceable trade deal to continue” in Washington in early September, it said. The Shanghai meetings were the 12th round of negotiations that started in December, and were the first face-to-face talks between the sides since the negotiations broke down in May over Trump administration allegations that the Chinese reneged on previously agreed-to commitments. Overhanging the talks is the threat that the administration could put the List 4 Section 301 tariffs into effect at any time on virtually all Chinese goods not previously dutied.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin traveled to Shanghai for talks Tuesday and Wednesday on a comprehensive U.S.-China trade deal, said the White House Wednesday. Vice Premier Liu He and Commerce Minister Zhong Shan led the Chinese delegation, it said. “The two sides discussed topics such as forced technology transfer, intellectual property rights, services, non-tariff barriers, and agriculture.” The Chinese “confirmed their commitment to increase purchases” of U.S. agricultural exports, it said. “The meetings were constructive, and we expect negotiations on an enforceable trade deal to continue” in Washington in early September, it said. The Shanghai meetings were the 12th round of negotiations that started in December, and were the first face-to-face talks between the sides since the negotiations broke down in May over Trump administration allegations that the Chinese reneged on previously agreed-to commitments (see 1905060015). Overhanging the talks is the threat that the administration could put the List 4 Section 301 tariffs into effect at any time on virtually all Chinese goods not previously dutied, including billions in consumer tech goods (see 1905140025). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., cautioned President Donald Trump against giving in to China. "I’d say to President Trump 'I know these multinational corporations are pressuring you to cut a quick deal,'" Schumer said. "The president should not listen to these big corporations who want him to cut a deal quickly." Trump should also "hold tough on Huawei," Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "Don’t let there be giant loopholes. I am told that under the proposal being talked about, 80 percent of Huawei’s products could still be sold in the U.S. If we have a total boycott of Huawei, then China will beg us -- beg us -- to come to the table be make big concessions. It’s the best leverage we have, even better than the tariffs. China wants Huawei to dominate the world. They’ll find a way to do it unless we are tough as could be."