Trade Cases
March 22, 2018
On the Heels of 232, Trump Announces More Tariffs on China
Written by Tim Triplett
President Trump signed a memorandum Thursday directing the U.S. Trade Representative to recommend tariffs on $50 billion to $60 billion of Chinese goods. In addition to the tariffs, the United States also plans to restrict Chinese invesment in the U.S. and to take action against China at the World Trade Organization, according to press reports.
Even before the dust had a chance to settle over Trump’s announcement that seven other countries will join Canada and Mexico on the list of those exempt from the Section 232 steel tariffs, the administration revealed plans for action under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, which gives the president wide latitude to retaliate against any act or practice of a foreign government that violates international fair trade standards. The U.S. government has long contended that the Chinese are guilty of currency manipulation and theft of intellectual property, as well as the subsidizing and dumping of goods, such as steel and aluminum, on the world market.
