Although details were released earlier this week, on April 6 the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) published the official Federal Register Notice concerning China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation (otherwise known as the Section 301 investigation).
On March 22, President Trump issued a Memorandum stating USTR determined that the acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation covered in the investigation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
USTR is proposing an additional duty of 25 percent on a list of products from China. The list of products, defined by 8-digit subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), is set out in the Annex to the Federal Register Notice.
USTR is now seeking public comment and will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed determination on appropriate action in response to these acts, policies, and practices.
To be assured of consideration, you must submit comments and responses in accordance with the following schedule:
- April 23, 2018: Due date for filing requests to appear and a summary of expected testimony at the public hearing and for filing pre-hearing submissions.
- May 11, 2018: Due date for submission of written comments.
- May 15, 2018: The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW Washington DC 20436 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
- May 22, 2018: Due date for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.
USTR strongly prefers electronic submissions made through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments in sections F and G of this Notice. The docket number is USTR-2018-0005. For alternatives to on-line submissions, please contact Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-9483.
For questions about the ongoing investigation or proposed action, contact Arthur Tsao, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 395-5725. For questions on customs classification of products identified in the Annex to this Notice, contact Evan Conceicao at Evan.M.Conceicao@cbp.dhs.gov.