The US extends the exemption of tariffs for some Chinese products for 3 months

The United States extended for three months the exemption from punitive customs duties on a series of Chinese products considered useful in the fight against the covid-19 pandemicannounced this Wednesday the office of the commercial representative (USTR).

Waivers that expired on November 30 are extended through February 28.

A total of 81 products have benefited from this exemption since the end of December 2020, it said in a statement.

These products should not be affected by trade restrictions and customs duties imposed by the US government, particularly with respect to the transfer of US technology or intellectual property.

In light of the continued efforts to combat Covid-19, it has been decided to extend these exemptions for three months,” the statement said.

In 2018, the government of former president Donald Trump he denounced “unfair” trade practices by Beijing, which led to a colossal trade deficit, and imposed punitive customs duties on Chinese goods for the equivalent of $350 billion of annual US imports.

Waivers were granted that expired.

The President’s Government Joe Biden launched a “selective” exemption procedure a year ago for Chinese products subject to punitive customs duties.

He said they would be granted “on a case by case” basis if there was no way to replace products from China.

The goal is to relieve small and medium-sized American businesses that cannot find other sources of supply.

The US government already made a similar decision in March for another 352 products, which are exempt from additional customs duties until December 31.