Lawmakers want USTR to expand tariff inclusion process on Chinese goods

The current list affects agriculture and other industries negatively, House Reps. say

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are asking the United States Trade Representative to expand a tariff exclusion process on Chinese products.

Ten House Representatives, including Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) signed a Jan. 20 letter to Katherine Tai calling for a “comprehensive, fair and transparent exclusion process to allow U.S. producers, manufacturers and importers to request relief, on a case-by-case basis, from all Section 301 tariffs on imports from China.”

In October, Tai and her staff asked for public feedback on a list of exclusions for 549 import categories.

This list included bicycles, medical supplies, and some food products.

But the list needs to be expanded as it only covers about 1 percent of original exclusions.

This must be done to ensure American businesses, including those in the ag sector, remain competitive.

“Sadly, the Section 301 tariffs have broadly impacted U.S. businesses in the manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, retail, energy, technology and services industries,” the lawmakers wrote, businesses in these sectors have difficulties absorbing the additional cost of tariffs.

Farms.com has contacted members of the ag industry for comment.