US USTR Deputy Representative "Reviewing High Tariff Policy on China"

Sarah Bianki, Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR)
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Sarah Bianchi, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, stated that the U.S. is reviewing the overall high tariff policy imposed on Chinese goods. As concerns have been raised that tariffs on China contribute to rising inflation in the U.S., this is interpreted as a sign that the U.S. may reduce the tariff burden on Chinese products to ease inflationary pressures.

In an interview with a foreign media outlet on the 2nd (local time), Deputy Representative Bianchi said, "The U.S. government is reviewing the entire tariff policy on China." She explained to Reuters, "As the strategic focus regarding trade with China shifts, we are considering all potential options, including tariff reductions and new investigations into China’s trade practices."

Deputy Representative Bianchi emphasized, "We are focusing on addressing some concerns such as China’s non-market practices (including industrial subsidies) and economic coercion (such as forced technology transfers to foreign companies), and are committed to fundamentally restructuring the economic relationship with China over the long term."

The U.S. government imposed large-scale tariffs on Chinese goods starting in 2018 during the Donald Trump administration. The Trump administration viewed China’s unfair trade practices as economic aggression and imposed 25% tariffs on a broad range of Chinese products under Section 301 of the Trade Act to pressure China to correct these practices. Over $300 billion worth of Chinese products became subject to high tariffs, and the Joe Biden administration has largely maintained these regulations. However, with U.S. inflation soaring, the high tariff policy is now under reconsideration.

Deputy Representative Bianchi noted that tariff reductions have effectively been implemented on some Chinese imports. Among 549 items that were previously exempted from high tariffs during the Trump administration but lost exemption at the end of 2020, exemption was restored in March for 352 items, including bicycle parts and electric motors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.