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USTR says China tariff increase to take effect Friday

The agency on Wednesday officially announced that tariffs across $200 billion worth of goods will increase to 25 percent on Friday.

   The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced on Wednesday that 10 percent tariffs across $200 billion worth of goods from China in yearly import value will rise to 25 percent at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
   The announcement was made after President Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted about the increase.
   USTR also will establish a process by which interested parties can request particular products within a Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheading be excluded from the $200 billion tranche, the agency said.
   U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told major national news outlets during a press briefing Monday that the tariff increase was brought about by China’s recent reneging on promises it made earlier during trade talks with the U.S.
   USTR imposed the 10 percent duties in September in connection with its completed Section 301 investigation that detailed unfair commercial practices by China.
   People with questions about customs classification or implementation of additional duties on products covered in the tranche should contact traderemedy@cbp.dhs.gov, USTR said.

Brian Bradley

Based in Washington, D.C., Brian covers international trade policy for American Shipper and FreightWaves. In the past, he covered nuclear defense, environmental cleanup, crime, sports, and trade at various industry and local publications.