US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer confirmed that increasing duties on US$200 billion worth of imports from China from 10 per cent to 25 per cent was under review.
President Donald Trump's made the request under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to induce China to improve treatment of US businesses, reports American Shipper.
After China took steps to retaliate against US. Section 301 duties of 25 per cent tabbed across $50 billion worth of Chinese goods in 2017 import value, the Trump administration on July 10 released a list of goods across another $200 billion worth of Chinese products that it marked for additional tariffs of 10 per cent.
The Office of the US. Trade Representative is extending the conclusion of the comment period from August 30 to September 5 for the proposed $200 billion worth of duties.
The interagency Section 301 Committee, led by USTR, will hold a public hearing on these proposed duties at the International Trade Commission in Washington from August 20-23.
'The increase in the possible rate of the additional duty is intended to provide the administration with additional options to encourage China to change its harmful policies and behaviour and adopt policies that will lead to fairer markets and prosperity for all of our citizens,' Mr Lighthizer said.
'The United States has joined forces with like-minded partners around the world to address unfair trade practices such as forced technology transfer and intellectual property theft, and we remain ready to engage with China in negotiations that could resolve these and other problems detailed in our Section 301 report,' he said.
A senior administration official told reporters told of Chinese use of 'data interventions' and the implementation of 'Made in China 2025' policies that seek 'to put US businesses out of work' and choosing 'national champions' instead of the best buy, were also objectionable.
After the administration's initial actions to restrict imports from China, Beijing continues to 'double down' on its market-distorting practices affecting US businesses, said another administration official.
President Donald Trump's made the request under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to induce China to improve treatment of US businesses, reports American Shipper.
After China took steps to retaliate against US. Section 301 duties of 25 per cent tabbed across $50 billion worth of Chinese goods in 2017 import value, the Trump administration on July 10 released a list of goods across another $200 billion worth of Chinese products that it marked for additional tariffs of 10 per cent.
The Office of the US. Trade Representative is extending the conclusion of the comment period from August 30 to September 5 for the proposed $200 billion worth of duties.
The interagency Section 301 Committee, led by USTR, will hold a public hearing on these proposed duties at the International Trade Commission in Washington from August 20-23.
'The increase in the possible rate of the additional duty is intended to provide the administration with additional options to encourage China to change its harmful policies and behaviour and adopt policies that will lead to fairer markets and prosperity for all of our citizens,' Mr Lighthizer said.
'The United States has joined forces with like-minded partners around the world to address unfair trade practices such as forced technology transfer and intellectual property theft, and we remain ready to engage with China in negotiations that could resolve these and other problems detailed in our Section 301 report,' he said.
A senior administration official told reporters told of Chinese use of 'data interventions' and the implementation of 'Made in China 2025' policies that seek 'to put US businesses out of work' and choosing 'national champions' instead of the best buy, were also objectionable.
After the administration's initial actions to restrict imports from China, Beijing continues to 'double down' on its market-distorting practices affecting US businesses, said another administration official.