Beijing DHH Law Firm Washington D.C. Office Opposes US Government Imposing Tariffs on $200 Billion Chinese Products
Release time：2018-08-29 11:21
From August 20th to 27th (EST), US Trade Representative (USTR) held a six-day public hearing at the Headquarter of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington, DC. All parties have launched a fierce debate on whether to impose a tariff of up to 25% on Chinese products worth $200 billion exported to the United States. On the third day of the public hearing, Beijing DHH Law Firm Washington D.C. Office again raised an objection and formed the powerful 24th Group consisting of representatives from the Unites States International Trade Commission, China Chamber of International Commerce, Tsinghua University and Southeast University.
Three Rounds of Tariff Plans
▲ Scene of the Public Hearing
▲ Scene of the Public Hearing
On July 6th, the United States officially began to impose a 25% tariff on the Chinese products worth $34 billion exported to the United States. Thereafter, the second round of 25% tariffs on Chinese products worth $16 billion also came into effect on August 23rd. On August 2nd, unfortunately, USTR issued a statement about imposing a 25% tariff on products worth $200 billion announced on July 10th. On August 20th, USTR held a six-day public hearing on the proposed tariffs at U.S. National Trade Commission. Up to the third day, nearly 190 representatives from relevant industry associations and enterprises, covering the fields of chemical, textile, food, electronic products, etc., attended the hearing and gave their voices, 90% of which stated against the US government's tariff action.
The First Two Rounds of Public Hearings
On May 15th, at the public hearing regarding to the proposed tariffs on Chinese products worth $34 billion, many representatives of enterprises and industry associations raised the voice against the tariffs. After then, the US government removed 515 tariff lines from the original list. The number of the tariff lines dropped from 1333 to 818. Later on July 24th, at the public hearing regarding the tariffs on Chinese products worth $16 billion, quite a few representatives of enterprises and industry associations still hold opposing views, and then the US government removed 5 tariff lines.
This Public Hearing
▲ Schedule of Events
Compared with the previous two public hearings, it was obvious that the measure of the U.S. Government to impose a 25% tariff on Chinese products worth $200 billion exported to the US encountered stronger opposition. The majority of the representatives believed that the tariffs would have a severe impact on the US manufacturing and retail industries, affect expanded production and employment opportunities, and dramatically cause damages to American consumers, workers and enterprises. Given the overwhelming opposition of representatives from various industry associations and enterprises at the hearing, the US government might remove some tariff lines related to US manufacturing and retail industries.
▲ Representatives of Beijing DHH Law Firm Washington D.C. Office attended this public hearing
Beijing DHH Law Firm Washington D.C. Office
During the public hearing, the core team led by Executive Director Xinze Liu and Bussiness Director Yongchang Tang of Beijing DHH Law Firm Washington D.C. Office actively participated in the defense and product exclusion procedures on section 301 tariffs, and fully communicated with the domestic business associations, canvassing for defending against the US government imposing tariffs on Chinese products exported to US. The continuous escalation of the Sino-US trade war will inevitably cause business risks and economic losses to related companies. Beijing DHH Law Firm and Washington D.C. Office actively participated in every public hearing under the Section 301 Investigation and would endeavor to help Chinese companies and foreign-invested enterprises in China avoid losses in this trade war.