The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has posted additional product exclusions for List 3 in today’s advanced Federal Register. The product exclusions announced will apply retroactively to September 24, 2018, the effective date of the $200 billion action, and will remain in effect until August 7, 2020.

Of note to USFIA members, the list includes several textile and textile articles, listed below.

• Stuff sacks with outer surface of textiles of man-made fibers, each measuring 77.5 cm or more but not over 127.7 cm in circumference, cylindrical in shape with a single compartment, a drawstring closure at one end and a strap at the other end of the sack (described in statistical reporting number 4202.92.3131)
• Covers, of leather, designed for use with telecommunication devices (described in statistical reporting number 4205.00.8000)
• Fabrics wholly of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100 g/m², of numbers 43 to 68 ("cheesecloth"), 3-layer folded and crimped, less than 28 cm wide after folding and crimping, compliant with standards of Aerospace Management Services (AMS) (described in statistical reporting number 5208.11.4090)
• Fabrics wholly of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing not more than 100 g/m², of numbers 43 to 68 ("cheesecloth"), compliant with standards of Aerospace Management Services (AMS) (described in statistical reporting number 5208.21.4090)
• Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn, dyed, weighing more than 280 g/m2 but not more than 420 g/m2(described in statistical reporting number 5407.92.2090)
• Sheeting fabrics containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, such artificial staple fibers derived from wood, printed (described in statistical reporting number 5516.44.0022)
• Non-woven fabrics of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in sheets measuring not more than 160 cm by 250 cm, weighing more than 1,800 g/m2but not more than 3,000 g/m2(described in statistical reporting number 5603.94.9090)
• Fabrics wholly of polyester, warp knit, bonded to a plain weave backing fabric, measuring not more than 141 cm in width, weighing over 271 g/m2, of a kind used to upholster furniture (described in statistical reporting number 6001.92.0010)
• Knitted or crocheted fabrics of artificial staple fibers derived from bamboo (described instatistical reporting number 6003.40.6000)
• Fabrics wholly of polyester, warp knit, printed, bonded to a woven backing wholly of polyester, weighing not less than 290 g/m2but not more than 500 g/m2, of a kind used to upholster furniture (described in statistical reporting number 6005.39.0080)

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Friday that the U.S. will raise tariffs on aircraft imported from the EU to 15% from 10% as part of the ongoing Airbus dispute settlement case. The tariffs will go into effect on March 18, 2020. The revisions do not change the existing 25% tariffs on consumer goods. As a reminder, there are certain apparel products of the United Kingdom subject to additional import duties of 25% and that list is available here. One new consumer product is added to the list, knives from France or Germany (HTS 8214.90.60). The full USTR notice on the increase on EU aircraft is available here.

CBP has released guidance on the latest round of product exclusions that includes a good summary of the actions taken as part of the China 301 trade dispute.  As noted in an earlier FIA, there are several product exclusions for products that appear on List 3 of the China tariffs.  These exclusions went into effect on January 6, 2020. Product exclusions granted in this round will retroactively apply as of September 24, 2018 and extend through August 7, 2020. The following are the HTS numbers for the fabrics, briefcases and flatware covered by the January 6, 2020 announcement.

• 4202.11.0030 Briefcases with outer surface of leather, each measuring no more than 37 cm by 45 cm by 17 cm
• 5407.52.2060 Woven fabric of synthetic filament yarn containing 85 percent or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyed, measuring 249 cm in width, weighing more than 170 g/m2
• 5407.61.9930 Woven dupioni fabric wholly of non-textured dyed polyester filaments, weighing not more than 170 g/m2 , measuring not more than 310 cm in width
• 5407.61.9930 Woven fabric wholly of polyester, dyed, not flat, containing non-textured polyester filaments, weighing not more than 170 g/m2, measuring not over 310 cm in width
• 5407.61.9935 Woven fabric wholly of polyester, dyed, containing non-textured polyester filaments, weighing more than 170 g/m2 , measuring not over 310 cm in width
• 5407.72.0015 Woven fabric containing by weight 47 percent of nylon and 53 percent of polyester, dyed, containing textured filaments, weighing not more than 170 g/m2, measuring greater than 274 cm in width 
• 5512.19.0090 Woven dyed fabrics wholly of spun polyester, weighing more than 240 g/m2 and measuring not more than 310 cm in width
• 5514.22.0020 Woven dyed 3-thread twill fabrics containing by weight 65 percent of polyester and 35 percent of cotton staple fibers, not napped, weighing more than 200 g/m² and exceeding 310 cm in width 
• 5810.92.9080 Woven dyed embroidery fabrics containing by weight 55 percent of polyester and 45 percent of nylon, weighing less than 115 g/m2 and measuring 289 cm in width
•  8215.20.0000 Sets of flatware of stainless steel, containing no article plated with precious metal, put up for retail sale

On Friday, USTR announced the formation of a Bilateral Evaluation and Dispute Resolution Office for the Phase One Trade Agreement with China. This office will oversee the implementation of the Phase One Agreement and address any disputes that arise related to the agreement. The Bilateral Evaluation and Dispute Resolution Office will work closely the corresponding Chinese Bilateral Evaluation and Dispute Resolution Office. Ambassador Jeffery Gerrish will serve as the “designated Deputy United States Trade Representative” for the office.