WASHINGTON—In reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is calling for comments on whether to remove tariffs on medical products from China.
High tariffs on goods imported from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 have been a hallmark of the Trump administration's battle against unfair Chinese trade practices.
However, USTR and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ensured from the beginning that certain crucial medical equipment were not subject to Section 301 tariffs, USTR said in a March 20 press release.
These products included parts for MRI scanners, combined PET/CT scanners, radiation therapy equipment, air purification equipment, and parts of home care beds, sterile electrosurgical tools and digital clinical thermometers, USTR said.
"In an effort to keep current on developments in our national fight against the coronavirus pandemic, USTR has opened a docket for members of the public, businesses, and government agencies to submit comments if they believe further modifications to the 301 tariffs may be necessary," USTR said.
Interested parties have until June 25 to submit comments online.