U.S. levies tax on Chinese production referring tires

On April 4, the Trump administration said that it will place a 25% tariff on a long list of Chinese products, a measure intended to penalize China for what is viewed as unfair trade practices and another move in simmering trade war between the United States and China. This follows Monday’s move when China said it would add tariffs to 128 American products, in response to a separate U.S. plan to tax steel and aluminum.

Of the 1,200-plus categories of products and goods listed that are subject to the 25% tariff, those pertaining to the tire industry include: “Camel-back” strips of unvulcanized rubber used for retreading rubber tires; tubes, pipes and hoses of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber, not reinforced or combined w/other materials, with fittings; tubes, pipes and hoses of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber, reinforced or combined with other materials, with fittings; conveyor belts or belting of vulcanized rubber reinforced only with metal; new and retreaded pneumatic rubber tires used on aircraft; and retreaded pneumatic tires (nonradials), of rubber, not elsewhere specified or included.

Here’s the complete report: https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/301FRN.pdf

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comment on the matter. If you’d like to submit a written comment for consideration, you can do so before May 11, 2018, before the Committee’s May 15th public hearing in Washington, D.C.