SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

For background on the proceedings in this investigation, please see the prior notices issued in this investigation, including 89 FR 29424 (April 22, 2024), 90 FR 8089 (January 23, 2025), 90 FR 10843 (February 27, 2025), 90 FR 17114 (April 23, 2025) (April 23, 2025 notice), 90 FR 24856 (June 12, 2025), 90 FR 48320 (October 16, 2025) (October 16, 2025 notice); 90 FR 50762 (November 10, 2025) (November 10, 2025 notice), and 90 FR 50947 (November 13, 2025) (November 13, 2025 notice).

On April 17, 2025, pursuant to sections 301(b), 301(c), and 304(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2411(b), 2411(c), and 2414(a)), and following consideration of public comments, as well as consultations with advisory committees and the Section 301 Committee, the Trade Representative determined to take action in this investigation. See April 23, 2025 notice.

On November 1, 2025, the White House announced a historic trade and economic deal reached between President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China.^[1] Pursuant to this deal, the United States would suspend for one year, beginning on November 10, 2025, the responsive actions taken in this investigation. This period would allow the United States to negotiate with China pursuant to Section 301 regarding the issues raised in this investigation as well as to continue U.S. domestic efforts and discussions with key allies and partners on revitalizing American shipbuilding.

On November 6, 2025, pursuant to this deal, the Trade Representative, at the direction of the President, proposed to suspend for one year, beginning on November 10, 2025, the responsive actions taken in this investigation. See November 10, 2025 notice.

Following consideration of public comments and advice from the Section 301 Committee, the Trade Representative suspended the actions in this investigation from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on November 10, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 9, 2026. See November 13, 2025 notice.

II. Request for Comments

The United States is continuing to engage with China with the goal of obtaining the elimination of the acts, policies, and practices at issue in the investigation. The Trade Representative is therefore proposing to further suspend for two months, through January 9, 2027, the responsive actions taken in this investigation. The Trade Representative is requesting comments from any interested person regarding the proposal to suspend the responsive actions from 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 10, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 9, 2027.

During the suspension period, no party would accrue liability for or be required to pay the fees on maritime transport services under Annexes I, II, or III of the April 23, 2025 notice, as modified by the October 16, 2025 notice. Further, during the suspension period, no party would accrue liability for or be required to pay the duties provided in Annex V.A of the October 16, 2025 notice.

III. Request for Public Comments

In accordance with Section 307(a)(2) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2417(a)(2)), USTR invites comments from interested persons with respect to the proposed modification to further suspend the action as described in Section II above. To be assured of consideration, you must submit written comments on the proposed modification by October 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

IV. Procedures for Written Comments

You must submit written comments using docket number USTR-2026-0694 on the electronic portal at comments.ustr.gov/​s/​. To submit written comments, use the docket on the portal entitled “Request for Comments on Further Suspension of Section 301 Action: China's Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance.”

You do not need to establish an account to submit comments. The first screen of each docket allows you to enter identification and contact information. Third party organizations such as law firms, trade associations, or customs brokers, should identify the full legal name of the organization they represent, and identify the primary point of contact for the submission. Information fields are optional; however, your comment or request may not be considered if insufficient information is provided. Fields with a gray Business Confidential Information (BCI) notation are for BCI information which will not be made publicly available. Fields with a green (Public) notation will be viewable by the public.

After entering the identification and contact information, you can complete the remainder of the comment, or any portion of it by clicking `Next.' You may upload documents at the end of the form and indicate whether USTR should treat the documents as business confidential or public information.

Any page containing BCI must be clearly marked `BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL' on the top of that page and the submission should clearly indicate, via brackets, highlighting, or ( printed page 67389) other means, the specific information that is BCI. If you request business confidential treatment, you must certify in writing that disclosure of the information would endanger trade secrets or profitability, and that the information would not customarily be released to the public.

Parties uploading attachments containing BCI also must submit a public version of their comments. If these procedures are not sufficient to protect BCI or otherwise protect business interests, please contact the USTR Section 301 support line at (202) 395-5725 to discuss whether alternative arrangements are possible.

USTR will post attachments uploaded to the docket for public inspection, except for properly designated BCI. You can view submissions on USTR's electronic portal at comments.ustr.gov/​s/​ by entering docket number USTR-2026-0694 in the search field on the home page.

91 FR 67388