Office of the United States Trade Representative August 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) invites comments to assist the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in the preparation of its annual report to Congress on China's compliance with the commitments made in connection with its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Due to COVID-19, the TPSC will foster public participation via written questions and responses relating to the comments received by the TPSC rather than an in-person hearing. This notice includes the schedule for submission of comments, questions and responses.

The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will seek public comment to assist the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in the preparation of its annual report to Congress on Russia's implementation of its obligations as a Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Due to COVID-19, the TPSC will foster public participation via written submissions rather than an in-person hearing. This notice includes the schedule for submission of comments and responses to questions from the TPSC for the Russia WTO implementation report.

Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $16 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative's determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion process. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in September 2018, and stakeholders have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. In July, September, and October 2019, and February and July 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative granted exclusion requests. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make an amendment to a previously granted exclusion.

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by imposing additional ad valorem duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and has issued seven product exclusion notices under this action and is issuing an eighth notice concurrent with this notice. The product exclusions granted under these notices are scheduled to expire on September 1, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative decided to consider a possible extension of particular exclusions granted under the first seven product exclusion notices. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's decision to consider a possible extension of particular exclusions granted under the eighth notice of product exclusions.

Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $34 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated an exclusion process in July 2018 and granted multiple sets of exclusions. In October and December 2019, and February 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative granted exclusions that are scheduled to expire on October 2, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions scheduled to expire in October 2020. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.