On July 17, 2018 the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a new round of proposed products to be added to action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of the acts, policies and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation. The proposed modification is to maintain the original $34 billion action and the proposed $16 billion action, and to take further action in the form of an additional 10% ad valorem duty on products of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 billion.

ASA staff reviewed the significant list of products in the proposed modification and developed a list of products that may have a direct impact on its members’ businesses. The list includes the following:

• Ingredients used in the products of plastic piping system components
• Organic solvents and thinners
• Activated carbon
• Flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses
• Bidets, lavatory pans, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware
• Porcelain or china ceramic wares
• Cast iron and stainless steel, tubes, pipes and fittings
• Stainless steel, sinks and wash basins
• Cast iron, baths
• Electromechanical kitchen waste disposers
• Parts of electromechanical domestic appliances

In addition, the ASA team has developed a summary of the process and timelines for submitting comments and if applicable, how to request an exemption to the final actions.

For any questions please contact Catherine Treadwell J.D., ASA director of government relations at ctreadwell@asa.net. If you do submit comments or are considering the submittal of a request for exclusion, ASA would appreciate you letting Catherine know so they can monitor member activity and determine if there is a common concern arising from comments or exclusion requests being submitted.