The So-Called "301 Investigation" Of The United States Started The Review Procedure Of Imposing Tariff On China

Washington, May 3 (Xinhua) the U.S. trade representative's office announced on the 3rd that two actions to impose tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States four years ago based on the results of the so-called "301 investigation" will end on July 6 and August 23, respectively. From now on, the office will initiate a statutory review of the relevant actions.

The U.S. trade representative's office issued a statement on the same day, saying that it would inform representatives of U.S. domestic industries that benefited from the tariff increase on China that the relevant tariff might be cancelled. Industry representatives can apply to the office to maintain the tariff increases before July 5 and August 22, respectively. During this period, the relevant tariff applications will be reviewed by the tariff office.

U.S. trade representative Dai Qi said at the event on the 2nd that the US government would take all policy measures to curb the soaring prices, suggesting that the reduction of tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States would be considered.

The so-called "301 investigation" originates from section 301 of the United States trade act of 1974. The clause empowers the US trade representative to initiate an investigation into the "unreasonable or unfair trade practices" of other countries and to recommend unilateral sanctions to the president of the United States after the investigation. The investigation, initiated, investigated, adjudicated and executed by the United States itself, has a strong color of unilateralism. According to the so-called "301 investigation", the United States has imposed 25% tariff on imports of goods from China in two batches since July and August 2018.

U.S. tariff measures against China have been strongly opposed by the US business community and consumers. Due to the sharp increase of inflation pressure, the United States has recently raised calls for the reduction and exemption of tariffs on China. Dalip Singh, deputy assistant to the US president for national security affairs, said a few days ago that part of the tariff imposed by the United States on China "lacks strategic objectives". The federal government can reduce the price of imported bicycles to the United States to help curb the rise in the prices of goods exported to China.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen also said recently that the U.S. government is carefully studying its trade strategy with China and that it is "worth considering" to cancel the tariff on Chinese goods exported to the United States.

A spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce said earlier that the unilateral tariff increase by the United States is not conducive to China, the United States and the world. Under the current situation that inflation continues to rise and the global economic recovery is facing challenges, it is hoped that the US side, proceeding from the fundamental interests of consumers and producers in China and the United States, as soon as possible, cancel all the tariff increases on China, and promote the bilateral economic and trade relations to return to normal track as soon as possible.