Upon the completion of its four-year review of Section 301 tariffs on imports from China, the Biden administration is increasing the levies on several sectors and establishing a limited exclusion process for domestic machinery. The administration is not removing the current Section 301 tariffs, including those that impact more than 300 components and materials used in marine manufacturing.
The administration said it has been reviewing trade and tariff policies for realigning the U.S.-China trade relationship. Throughout the process, the National Marine Manufacturers Association pushed for the reinstatement of exclusions for marine products and the reopening of the exclusion process for every imported product impacted by the tariffs.
The complete list hasn’t been released, but the White House has reportedly said the increased tariffs on Chinese imports are set to target products “across strategic sectors such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore cranes, and medical products.”
“As a uniquely American industry, with 95% of the boats sold in the U.S. made in the U.S., marine manufacturers and American consumers continue to bear the brunt of this trade war,” NMMA president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer said in a statement. “It is especially concerning the administration refuses to reopen the exclusion process for marine products, which can provide limited but important relief for marine businesses. At a time when marine manufacturers are facing economic headwinds, these tariffs continue to put our economy at an even greater disadvantage.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative intends to issue a Federal Register notice next week announcing procedures for interested parties to comment on the proposed increases in Section 301 tariffs and information concerning the proposed exclusion process. The NMMA said it plans to submit comments.
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