Hot Topics In International Trade: Section 301 #002

American China Flags

Brandon French discusses section 301. He reviews China entering the WTO in 2001 and the 2017 USTR investigation that led to tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S.. Brandon talks about the process of tariff exclusion requests for goods deemed to be only available from China.

Another China Competition Bill: The Future of Section 301 Exclusions

Section 301 Exclusions

The Trade Act of 1974 grants the President broad powers to manage trade relationships with foreign countries. Section 301 of the act allows the President, acting through the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”), to impose retaliatory tariffs on imports from a country if the USTR determines that country’s economic conduct “is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts United States commerce.”

Section 301 Update: Four-Year Review, Exclusions, Litigation, and the Future of China Tariffs

China Tariffs

China Tariffs are here to stay – for now. The Biden Administration continues to defend the Trump-era tariffs on goods from China with little guidance as domestic inflation climbs steadily. Meanwhile, 2022 has been a busy year for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”). The agency was instructed by the Court of International Trade to provide further written justification for the Section 301 Actions for Lists 3 and 4a in the wake of the agency’s obligatory four-year review of each tariff action.

Snapshot of Section 301 Litigation – Litigating the Adequacy of the USTR’s Rationale for List 3 and List 4a

Section 301 Actions

The legality of the Section 301 Actions for List 3 ($200 Billion Trade Action) and 4a ($300 Billion Trade Action) continues to be contentiously disputed before the Court of International Trade. The mass action, In re Section 301 Cases, No. 21-00052, encompasses claims of over 6,500 Plaintiffs that argue the Section 301 Duties, enacted under the Trade Act of 1974, are illegal.

Understanding the Statutory Four-Year Review Period of the Tariffs

section 301

Many importers are eagerly awaiting the United States Trade Representative’s (“USTR”) required four-year review of the Section 301 Chinese tariffs. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 grants the Office of the USTR a range of responsibilities and authorities to investigate and take action to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and respond to certain foreign trade practices.

Refunds Available? USTR Announces Reinstated Section 301 Exclusions

Section 301 Exclusions

Since the end of 2020, almost all companies were forced to begin paying the Section 301 duties as most available exclusions expired. This was a major hit for companies who were relying on the exclusions, as the additional duties were either 25% (List 1, 2, and 3) or 15% (List 4A).

Latest Update on Section 301 Litigation

section 301

By: Adrienne Braumiller, Founding Partner, Braumiller Law Group On June 1, 2021, the U.S. Government, in the ongoing Court of International Trade (“CIT”) litigation over List 3 and List 4A Section 301 tariffs on certain imports of Chinese products, filed a Motion to Dismiss for the “failure to state a claim” and, alternatively a Motion to […]

Executive Order Places Reporting Burden on Express Couriers and Customs Brokers to Report Importers

couriers brokers report importers

On Friday, January 31, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order reiterating the policy of the United States regarding persons who facilitate imports of merchandise in direct violation of Federal laws and calling for the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a notice of proposed rule-making to establish criteria an importer must meet before obtaining an importer of record (IOR) number.