Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular Exclusions Granted Under the $300 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation
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...
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.
DATES:
August 5, 2020:
The public docket on the web portal at
https://comments.USTR.gov
opened for parties to submit comments on the possible extension of particular exclusions.
August 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET:
To be assured of consideration, submit written comments on the public docket by this deadline.
In a notice published on August 20, 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative, at the direction of the President, announced a determination to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation by imposing an additional 10 percent
ad valorem
duty on products of China with an annual aggregate trade value of approximately $300 billion. 84 FR 43304 (August 20 notice). The August 20 notice contains two separate lists of tariff subheadings, with two different effective dates. List 1, which is set out in Annex A of the August 20 notice, was effective on September 1, 2019. List 2, which is set out in Annex C of the August 20 notice, was scheduled to take effect on December 15, 2019. Subsequently, the U.S. Trade Representative announced determinations suspending until further notice the additional duties on products set out in Annex C (List 2) and reducing the additional duties for the products covered in Annex A of the August 20 notice (List 1) to 7.5 percent.
See84 FR 57144, 85 FR 3741.
On October 24, 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative established a process by which U.S. stakeholders could request exclusion of particular products classified within an eight-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading covered by List 1 of the $300 billion action from the additional duties.
See84 FR 57144 (October 24 notice). The October 24 notice required submission of requests for exclusion from the $300 billion action no later than January 31, 2020, and noted that the U.S. Trade Representative periodically would announce decisions. The U.S. Trade Representative has issued seven notices of product exclusions under this action and is issuing an eighth notice concurrent with this notice. These exclusions are scheduled to expire on September 1, 2020.
B. Possible Extensions of Particular Product Exclusions
As noted, the U.S. Trade Representative previously decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under the first seven product exclusion notices under the $300 billion action.
See85 FR 38482 (June 26, 2020), 85 FR 43639 (July 17, 2020), 85 FR 41658 (July 10, 2020), and 85 FR 44563 (July 23, 2020). This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's decision to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under the eighth notice. Accordingly, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comments on whether to extend the particular exclusions issued under the eighth notice of product exclusions that is published in the
Federal Register
concurrently with this notice. Public comments regarding the extension of particular exclusions under the previous seven notices must be filed under separate dockets. Specifically, public comments regarding the extension of particular exclusions under the first five notices of product exclusions issued under the $300 billion action must be filed under docket
( printed page 48596)
USTR-2020-0027.
See85 FR 38482 (June 26, 2020). Public comments regarding the extension of particular exclusions under the sixth and seventh notices of product exclusions issued under the $300 billion action must be filed under docket USTR-2020-0029.
See85 FR 43639 (July 17, 2020). Public comments regarding the extension of particular exclusions under the eighth notice must be filed under docket USTR-2020-0031.
USTR will evaluate the possible extension of each exclusion on a case-by-case basis. The focus of the evaluation will be whether, despite the first imposition of these additional duties in September 2019, the particular product remains available only from China. In addressing this factor, commenters should address specifically:
Whether the particular product and/or a comparable product is available from sources in the United States and/or in third countries.
Any changes in the global supply chain since September 2019 with respect to the particular product or any other relevant industry developments.
The efforts, if any, the importers or U.S. purchasers have undertaken since September 2019 to source the product from the United States or third countries.
In addition, USTR will continue to consider whether the imposition of additional duties on the products covered by the exclusion will result in severe economic harm to the commenter or other U.S. interests.
C. Procedures To Comment on the Extension of Particular Exclusions
To submit a comment regarding the extension of a particular exclusion granted under the above referenced product exclusion notice under the $300 billion action, commenters first must register on the portal at
https://comments.USTR.gov.
As noted above, the public docket will be open from August 5, 2020, to August 20, 2020. After registration, the commenter may submit an exclusion extension comment form to the public docket.
Fields on the comment form marked with an asterisk (*) are required fields. Fields with a gray (BCI) notation are for business confidential information and will not be publicly available. Fields with a green (Public) notation will be publicly available. Additionally, commenters will be able to upload documents and indicate whether the documents are BCI or public. Commenters will be able to review the public version of their comments before they are posted.
In order to facilitate the preparation of comments, a facsimile of the exclusion extension comment form to be used on the portal is annexed to this notice. Please note that the color-coding of public fields and BCI fields is not visible on the attached facsimile, but will be apparent on the actual comment form used on the portal.
Set out below is a summary of the information to be entered on the exclusion extension comment form.
Contact information, including the full legal name of the organization making the comment, whether the commenter is a third party (e.g.,
law firm, trade association, or customs broker) submitting on behalf of an organization or industry, and the name of the third party organization, if applicable.
The number for the exclusion on which you are commenting as provided in the Annex of theFederal Register
notice granting the exclusion and the description. For descriptions, amended or corrected by a later issued notice of product exclusions, parties should use the amended or corrected description.
Whether the product or products covered by the exclusion are subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Whether you support or oppose extending the exclusion and an explanation of your rationale. Commenters must provide a public version of their rationale, even if the commenter also intends to submit a more detailed business confidential rationale.
Whether the products covered by the exclusion or comparable products are available from sources in the U.S. or third countries. Please include information concerning any changes in the global supply chain since September 2019 with respect to the particular product.
The efforts you have undertaken since September 2019 to source the product from the United States or third countries.
The value and quantity of the Chinese-origin product covered by the specific exclusion request purchased in 2018 and 2019. Whether these purchases are from a related company, and if so, the name of and relationship to the related company.
Whether Chinese suppliers have lowered their prices for products covered by the exclusion following the imposition of duties.
The value and quantity of the product covered by the exclusion purchased from domestic and third country sources in 2018 and 2019.
If applicable, the commenter's gross revenue for 2018 and 2019.
Whether the Chinese-origin product of concern is sold as a final product or as an input.
Whether the imposition of duties on the products covered by the exclusion will result in severe economic harm to the commenter or other U.S. interests.
Any additional information or data in support of or in opposition to extending the exclusion that you consider relevant.
D. Submission Instructions
To be assured of consideration, you must submit your comment between the opening of the public docket on August 5, 2020 and the August 20, 2020 submission deadline. If you seek to comment on two or more exclusions, you must submit a separate comment for each exclusion.
By submitting a comment, the commenter certifies that the information provided is complete and correct to the best of their knowledge.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Office of Management and Budget assigned control number 0350-0015, which expires January 31, 2023.
Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.
85 FR 48595
Web Citation
Suggested Web Citation
Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.
“Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular Exclusions Granted Under the $300 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation,” thefederalregister.org (August 11, 2020), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2020-17441/request-for-comments-concerning-the-extension-of-particular-exclusions-granted-under-the-300-billion-action-pursuant-to-.
