The USTR published a “Request for Comments” regarding a proposed $300 Billion trade action on products from China (so-called “List 4”). The notice was published on the USTR’s “Section 301 Investigations” website on May 13, 2019:
The notice proposes a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on 3,805 full or partial HTSUS codes that have previously not been subject to additional Section 301 duties. The additional duty would apply to products of China classified under these tariff codes. Interested parties can appear at a public hearing or submit written comments pursuant to the following schedule:
* June 10, 2019: Due date for filing requests to appear at public hearing.
* June 17, 2019: Due date for submission of written comments.
* June 17, 2019: Date of public hearing in Washington D.C.
The effective date of the potential tariffs is unclear. In previous Section 301 actions, tariffs have been imposed in as little as a few day after the close of the public comment period or, in other cases, several weeks later. Furthermore, President Trump indicated in comments on May 13, 2019 that he had yet to decide on whether to officially implement a List 4.
