As part of its review of Section 301 China tariffs, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is soliciting feedback on the impact of these tariffs. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) encourages anyone in the sportfishing industry that has been impacted to participate in this process.

In 2019, additional tariffs were placed on several sportfishing products imported from China, including hooks, reels valued over $8.45, fishing line, leaders and artificial baits. ASA continues to argue that these tariffs are particularly punitive to the sportfishing industry, given that the industry already pays an excise tax that helps fund the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.

USTR is seeking public comments to consider the effectiveness of the tariffs in achieving the objectives of the investigation, other actions that could be taken, and the effects of the actions on the United States economy, including consumers.

Click here to access the electronic portal, which opened today and runs until Jan. 17, 2023. The portal includes detailed questions on these issues, including questions about the impact of the actions on U.S. workers, U.S. small businesses, U.S. manufacturing, critical supply chains, U.S. technological leadership, and possible tariff inversions (i.e., where additional tariffs on goods are lower than additional tariffs on inputs used to produce those goods).

While there are no guarantees about the outcome of this public comment period, it is the first step in a potential rebalancing of Section 301 China tariffs. Ultimately, the process could result in increases, decreases or eliminations of the tariffs. Your comments could help impact future actions taken by USTR.

Separate from USTR’s review, ASA is urging Congress to pass legislation to reinstate all previously granted exclusions to Section 301 China tariffs and to establish a new process for additional exclusions.

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AUTHOR

John Stillwagon