The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative acknowledged, “the imposition of tariffs on certain Chinese imports has resulted in an overall decline in the availability of needed medical equipment and supplies.”
Americans for Free Trade, which represents more than 100 trade organizations, said eliminating existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would boost the American economy by $75 billion during the COVID-19 crisis.
The federal court affirmed an earlier decision by the Court of International Trade, despite a challenge from the American Institute for International Steel claiming the president overstepped his authority.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the 73% collected-duty increase over last year was mostly the result of ongoing punitive import duties on steel, aluminum and Chinese goods.
President Trump cited currency manipulation as the reason to reimpose tariffs on imports from the two South American countries.
