Overview

Trade tariffs, including the 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs and 301 China Investigation have dominated trade news in the last months. In order to provide concise and organized information on how these tariffs may apply to you, Givens & Johnston has compiled the following list of useful resources, as well as our interpretation of events. Please keep in mind that news surrounding steel and aluminum tariffs is ever changing. We strive to be as up-to-date as possible.

Section 232 Links:

On March 23, 2018, 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs went into effect placing an additional 25% duty on imported steel products and 10% duty on imported aluminum products. A list of affected steel products can be found in Article (1) here. A list of affected aluminum products can be found in Article (1) here. On March 22, 2018, it was announced that duties on steel and aluminium imports from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, Mexico, and South Korea would be on hold until May 1, 2018 (Later extended to June 1, 2018).  Since the March 22 delay, many countries have come to the negotiation table and discussed means of receiving a permanent exemption from the 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs. Information on these negotiations can be found below.  Since June 1, 2018, many of the exceptions have expired and nations are responding.

-Korean negotiation agreement found here. Note that Korean Steel is exempted from 232 Tariffs, but Korean Aluminium is not.

-Negotiations concerning Steel and Aluminum from Australia, Argentina, and Brazil have concluded.  The Presidential Proclamations for steel and aluminum can be found here.  The Customs message can be found here.  Note that only Australian and Argentinian Aluminum are exempted from the 232 Tariffs, Brazilian Aluminum is not.

-For the full Commerce Department report on Steel Tariffs, click here. For the full Commerce Department report on Aluminium Tariffs, click here.

-U.S. Customs’ overall summary of affected products and countries can be found here.

-CBP has posted an FAQ for steel and aluminium.

-Canada has initiated Chapter 20 panel under NAFTA and a WTO challenge to dispute the 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.

-In response to currency devaluation in the Republic of Turkey, the 232 tariff rate for imports of Turkish origin has been increased  to 50%.

 

Section 301 China Investigation Links:

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, gives the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) broad authority to enforce trade agreements, resolve trade disputes, and open foreign markets to U.S. goods and services. Included in this authority is the authority to respond to a foreign country’s unfair trade practices. If the USTR makes an affirmative determination of actionable conduct, it has the authority to take all appropriate and feasible action to obtain the elimination of the act, policy, or practice, subject to the direction of the President, if any. The statute includes authorization to take any actions that are within the President’s power with respect to trade in goods or services, or any other area of pertinent relations with the foreign country. The list of products on which the United States raises import duties is called a “retaliation list.” Products included on a retaliation list are carefully selected to minimize the adverse impact on U.S. consumers, firms, and workers. The following links provide a great overview of the investigation.

-USTR comments can be found here.

-USTR Special Report found here.

-USTR Final Report found here.

-President Trump’s comments can be found in the Presidential Comments.

-According to Politico, tariffs against China could be coming as early as Friday June 15.

-A Customs Message has announced that 301 tariffs are eligible for Duty Drawback.

 

Retaliatory Tariffs:

232 Retaliatory Tariffs:

-In May, the E.U. imposed additional tariffs in retaliation for the 232 action.  That list can be found here.

-Mexico also is seeking a ruling from the WTO.  They also have imposed tariffs on various products (pork, apples, varieties of cheeses, whiskey, among others).  The official Mexican response can be found here, in Spanish.  The Diary of the Federation post is available here.

-The E.U. recently announced additional “re-balancing” tariffs in response effective in July.  An article covering these can be found here.  The list covers some agricultural products (cranberries, orange juice) peanut butter, and bourbon.

-After the G7 Conference, German Chancellor Merkel had warned about the EU imposing retaliatory tariffs.  President Trump has warned of placing tariffs on Automobiles.

–Canada has released a final list of US origin goods subject to additional tariffs.  The official Canadian page with the subject tariff lines can be found here.

301 Retaliatory Tariffs:

China announced retaliatory tariffs in response to the US 301 action.  The Lists can be found here (English Post, Lists in Chinese).

China has announced that there will be retaliation to the new 6,000+ tariff lines announced by the White House.

If you have any questions regarding how the 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs and 301 China Investigation may affect you or your business, please give our firm a call.