SPRING 2024

68
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
GLOBALFASTENERNEWS.COM
by JASON SANDEFUR
www.globalfastenernews.com
SECTION 301 TARIFF REVIEW CONTINUES
The Biden administration is
nearing the end of a lengthy review on
whether to adjust or extend Section
301 tariffs on a variety of goods and
materials from China.
The tariffs, imposed in 2018 under
the Trump administration, set levies
on nearly $400 billion in Chinese
products.
The tariffs include 25% duties
on bolts, screws and other fasteners
(HTS subheadings 7318.11.00
to 7318.29.00) manufactured in China and 15% on
all Chinese iron and steel nuts (HTS subheading
7318.16.00).
In May 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative initiated a legally-required four-year
review of the Section 301 tariffs that focused on tariff
efficacy in changing Chinese discriminatory practices
and the impact of the tariffs on the U.S. economy,
workers and consumers, among other considerations.
More than 18 months later, the review remains
unfinished, which the National Association of
Manufacturers finds concerning.
NAM is urging USTR to finish and publish it—and to
take actions that “reduce the burdens on manufacturers
while maintaining appropriate leverage to incentivize
China” to adhere to its commitments.
“Ideally, USTR will conclude the four-year review in
the next few weeks and make the results public,” said
NAM Senior Director of International Policy Ali Aafedt.
“We would like to see the results reflect the 1,498
public submissions USTR received during the process
and the reduction or removal of some of the tariffs that
are harming manufacturers in the U.S. more than they’re
creating leverage on China.”
Currently there are 429 existing exclusions from the
tariffs—including 77 COVID-19-related products and 352
reinstated exclusions—which are in effect through May
31.
NAM has also been pushing for a new process that
allows manufacturers to ask the government to exclude
specific products they need from the tariffs.
“The last opportunity to petition USTR for relief from
Section 301 tariffs was in 2020, and a new exclusion
process will help to better align the tariffs with U.S.
economic goals,” said Aafedt.
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