Commerce Considers Extending Safeguards on Imported Washers

If you have been waiting for a price drop on an imported Korean LG or Samsung washing machine, you may be waiting a bit longer. The U.S. International Trade Commission is considering extending safeguard tariffs and quotas on imports of large residential washers, including those two popular brands.

Whirlpool is asking that its foreign competitors continue to be subjected to quota and tariff restrictions that were imposed in January 2018. The tariffs and quotas are based on a sliding scale. Tariffs for 2020 on large residential washers are 16 percent for the first 1.2 million units and 40 percent for those above the quota. Imports of certain washer components are also taxed at the 40 percent rate.