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

The Office of United States Trade Representative is announcing the effective date of modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) concerning the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

In September 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 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 a product exclusion process in June 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusions and make technical amendments to previously announced exclusions.

On June 26, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative announced a review of the action being taken to enforce U.S. World Trade Organization (WTO) rights in the Large Civil Aircraft dispute and requested public comments on possible modifications. Based on this review, the U.S. Trade Representative has determined to modify the list of products subject to additional duties of 25 percent ad valorem. At this time, the U.S. Trade Representative has determined to maintain the current levels of additional duties.

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's determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion process, which was initiated in July 2018. Stakeholders submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products and in December 2018, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, and December 2019, and February, May, June, and July 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative granted exclusion requests. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make a technical amendment to one previously granted exclusion.

Effective September 24, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 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 the exclusion process on June 24, 2019, and has granted 15 sets of exclusions under the $200 billion action. These exclusions will expire on August 7, 2020. On May 6, 2020 and June 3, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative established a processes for the public to comment on whether to extend particular exclusions granted under the $200 billion action for up to 12 months. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to extend certain exclusions through December 31, 2020.

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 duties of 10 percent ad valorem 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 interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice, and make certain amendments to previously announced exclusions.

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 initiated the exclusion process in September 2018 and, to date, has granted three sets of exclusions under the $16 billion action. The first set of exclusions was published in July 2019 and will expire in July 2020. On April 30, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative established a process for the public to comment on whether to extend particular exclusions granted in July 2019 for up to 12 months. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to extend certain exclusions through December 31, 2020.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture will convene virtual public hearings to hear firsthand from interested persons on trade distorting policies that may be causing harm to U.S. seasonal and perishable producers (namely, of fresh fruits and vegetables) and contributing to unfair pricing in the U.S. market, and to solicit feedback on how the Administration can better support these producers and redress any unfair harm.

The U.S. Trade Representative has determined that Mali has adopted an effective visa system and related procedures to prevent the unlawful transshipment of textile and apparel articles and the use of counterfeit documents in connection with the shipment of such articles, and has implemented and follows, or is making substantial progress towards implementing and following, the custom procedures required by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Therefore, imports of eligible products from Mali qualify for the textile and apparel benefits provided under the AGOA.

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, which was initiated in September 2018. Stakeholders submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products and the U.S. Trade Representative granted exclusion requests. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make certain amendments to previously granted exclusions and grants an exclusion that previously was published under a different U.S. note to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

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's determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion process, which was initiated in July 2018. Stakeholders submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products and the U.S. Trade Representative has issued determinations to grant exclusion requests. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make a technical 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 duties of 10 percent ad valorem 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. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice, and make certain amendments to previously announced exclusions. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

This notice amends an annex to the notice published on June 26, 2020, which requested public comments in connection with a review of the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation involving the enforcement of U.S. World Trade Organization (WTO) rights in the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. The amendment adds two products to Annex III that were inadvertently omitted.

The tariff rate quota (TRQ) for sugar containing products (SCPs) of Canada established by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or the Agreement) will be administered using export certificates.

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 duties of 10 percent ad valorem 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. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and as of June 12, 2020, had issued five product exclusion notices under this action. The product exclusions granted under these notices are scheduled to expire on September 1, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under these initial five product exclusion notices. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

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 initiated the exclusion process in September 2018 and granted multiple sets of exclusions. The third set of exclusions was granted in October 2019, and 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 granted in October 2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

The U.S. Trade Representative is expressly rescinding the withdrawal, issued in October 2019 (the October Withdrawal), of the exclusion of bifacial solar panels from application of the safeguard measure on imports of certain solar products pursuant to a Section 201 investigation. The October Withdrawal is superseded by the withdrawal determination made by the U.S. Trade Representative in April 2020 that the bifacial solar panel exclusion is undermining the objectives of the safeguard measure (the April Withdrawal).

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's determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion process. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in July 2018, and stakeholders have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. In December 2018, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, December 2019, and February and May 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative issued determinations to grant exclusion requests and issue amendments. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make a technical amendment to one previously granted exclusion.

Effective September 24, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 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 for the $200 billion action in June 2019 and issued 14 product exclusion notices under this action. The product exclusions granted under these notices are scheduled to expire on August 7, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative previously decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under the initial 11 product exclusion notices and has now decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under the remaining product exclusion notices. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular 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 the exclusion process in July 2018 and to date, has granted 10 sets of exclusions under the $34 billion action. The fifth set of exclusions was published in June 2019 and will expire in June 2020. On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative established a process for the public to comment on whether to extend particular exclusions granted in June 2019 for up to 12 months. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to extend certain exclusions through December 31, 2020.

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 duties of 10 percent ad valorem 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. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination, as specified in the Annex to this notice, to correct technical errors in previously announced exclusions. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

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 the exclusion process in July 2018 and, to date, has granted 10 sets of exclusions under the $34 billion action. The fourth set of exclusions was published in May 2019 and will expire in May 2020. On March 12, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative established a process for the public to comment on whether to extend particular exclusions granted in May 2019 for up to 12 months. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to extend certain exclusions until December 31, 2020.

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 duties of 10 percent ad valorem 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. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice, and corrects a technical error in a previously announced exclusion. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

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 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative issued determinations to grant certain exclusion requests on a rolling basis. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make certain technical amendments to previously granted exclusions.