News

WASHINGTON, D.C., (October 4, 2022) — Today, Americans for Free Trade (AFT), a broad coalition of American businesses, trade organizations, and workers united against tariffs, sent a letter to the office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai regarding Section 301 tariff exclusions which are set to expire in the coming months, calling for USTR to both renew existing exclusions and create a more robust exclusions process moving forward.

“As American businesses continue to face high inflation, ongoing supply chain challenges, and new COVID variants, we urge USTR to provide additional relief by promptly renewing all the exclusions which are set to expire this year,” Americans for Free Trade wrote. “This move will provide some certainty for American companies and help maintain their competitiveness – especially those who import products where there is no domestic or other sourcing alternative – as well as ensure continued access to life saving goods.”

More than 170 trade associations signed on to the letter. The full text of the letter may be found here and below.

October 4, 2022

The Honorable Katherine Tai 
United States Trade Representative 
600 Seventeenth Street, N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20508

RE:      Extension of Section 301 China Tariffs Exclusions

Dear Ambassador Tai:

On behalf of the undersigned members of Americans for Free Trade, we are writing to request an immediate extension for the limited China 301 tariff exclusions which are set to expire on December 31, as well as the COVID exclusions set to expire this November. It is critical that USTR announce its plans for these exclusions now so that companies can plan accordingly. 

Our companies and associations joined together to form Americans for Free Trade in 2018. Our coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy including manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, powersports, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, renewable energy companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we employ tens of millions of Americans through our vast supply chains.

In the last four years, American importers, including members of our coalition, have been assessed close to $155 billion in section 301 tariffs on products from China. The exclusions granted earlier this year provided limited relief for some companies. Although all these exclusions will expire in the coming months, to date USTR has made no announcement about whether to extend any of them, or even whether the agency supports having any exclusions process at all.  Because American businesses must make supply chain and sourcing decisions many months in advance, the uncertainty created by USTR’s inaction compels our companies to incorporate 25 percent price increases into product lines that may soon be without a Section 301 tariff exclusion.  Upward pricing pressure of this kind will exacerbate inflation in an economy already teetering on the edge of stagflation, leaving consumers – and particularly low-income consumers – with reduced purchasing power and placing more goods out of their reach.

As American businesses continue to face high inflation, ongoing supply chain challenges, and new COVID variants, we urge USTR to provide additional relief by promptly renewing all the exclusions which are set to expire this year. This move will provide some certainty for American companies and help maintain their competitiveness – especially those who import products where there is no domestic or other sourcing alternative – as well as ensure continued access to life saving goods.

In addition, we renew our request for USTR to create a more robust exclusions process – one that is open to all products covered by the China 301 tariffs. We know this sentiment is shared by at least 141 bipartisan House members and 41 bipartisan Senators who have previously made a similar request. As long as the section 301 tariffs remain in place, there should be a fair, transparent, and robust exclusions process available so that American businesses can apply for targeted relief.  

American families, workers and businesses continue to cope during these unprecedented economic challenges, and we believe the administration should use every available tool to provide economic relief and certainty going forward. Renewing exclusions that are set to expire and opening up a new and robust exclusions process will help provide that.

Sincerely,

Accessories Council

ACT | The App Association 

Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC)

ALMA, International (Association of Loudspeaker Manufacturing and Acoustics)

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)

American Association of Port Authorities

American Bakers Association

American Bridal & Prom Industry Association (ABPIA)

American Chemistry Council

American Clean Power Association 

American Down and Feather Council

American Fly Fishing Trade Association

American Home Furnishings Alliance

American Lighting Association

American Petroleum Institute

American Pyrotechnics Association

American Rental Association

American Seed Trade Association

American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

American Trucking Associations

Arizona Technology Council

Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants Association

Association For Creative Industries

Association for PRINT Technologies

Association of American Publishers 

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) 

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Auto Care Association

Beer Institute

BSA | The Software Alliance

Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI)

Business Alliance for Customs Modernization

California Retailers Association

Can Manufacturers Institute

Chemical Industry Council of Delaware (CICD) 

Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT)

Coalition of Services Industries (CSI)

Colorado Retail Council

Columbia River Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.

Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

Consumer Brands Association

Consumer Technology Association

Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

CropLife America

Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Assn. of Washington State

Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders of Northern California

Electronic Transactions Association 

Energy Workforce & Technology Council

Experiential Designers and Producers Association Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)

Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association

Flexible Packaging Association

Florida Ports Council

Florida Retail Federation

Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)

Fragrance Creators Association

Game Manufacturers Association

Gemini Shippers Association

Georgia Retailers

Global Chamber® 

Global Cold Chain Alliance 

Greeting Card Association

Halloween & Costume Association (HCA)

Home Fashion Products Association

Home Furnishings Association

Household and Commercial Products Association

Idaho Retailers Association

Illinois Retail Merchants Association

Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Association (IOPFDA)

Indiana Retail Council

Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)

International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)

International Foodservice Distributors Association

International Housewares Association

International Warehouse and Logistics Association

International Wood Products Association

ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association

Jeweler’s Vigilance Committee

Juice Products Association (JPA)

Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association

Leather and Hide Council of America

Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association

Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Assn.

Louisiana Retailers Association

Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association

Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association

Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay

Maryland Retailers Association

Michigan Chemistry Council

Michigan Retailers Association

Minnesota Retailers Association

Missouri Retailers Association

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

Motorcycle Industry Council

NAPIM (National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers)

National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)

National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) 

National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ)

National Association of Home Builders

National Association of Music Merchants

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM)

National Confectioners Association

National Council of Chain Restaurants

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

National Fisheries Institute

National Foreign Trade Council

National Grocers Association

National Industrial Transportation League (NITL)

National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association 

National Marine Manufacturers Association

National Restaurant Association

National Retail Federation

National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association

National Sporting Goods Association

Natural Products Association

New Jersey Retail Merchants Association

North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM)

North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD)

North Carolina Retail Merchants Association

Ohio Council of Retail Merchants

Outdoor Industry Association

Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Assns. Inc.

Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association

PeopleforBikes 

Personal Care Products Council

Pet Food Institute

Pet Advocacy Network 

Plumbing Manufacturers International 

Power Tool Institute (PTI)

PRINTING United Alliance

Promotional Products Association International

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association 

Retail Association of Maine

Retail Council of New York State

Retail Industry Leaders Association

Retailers Association of Massachusetts

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)

RV Industry Association

San Diego Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.

SEMI

Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)

Snowsports Industries America

Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates

Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)

South Dakota Retailers Association

Specialty Equipment Market Association

Specialty Vehicle Institute of America 

Sports & Fitness Industry Association

TechNet

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

Texas Water Infrastructure Network 

The Airforwarders Association

The Fertilizer Institute

The Hardwood Federation

The Vinyl Institute

Toy Association

Travel Goods Association

Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)

United States Council for International Business

United States Fashion Industry Association

US Global Value Chain Coalition

US-China Business Council

Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores

Virginia Retail Federation

Virginia-DC District Export Council (VA-DC DEC)

Washington Retail Association

Window and Door Manufacturers Association

World Pet Association, Inc. (WPA)

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WASHINGTON, D.C., (September 7, 2022) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) spokesperson Jonathan Gold released the below statement following last week’s announcement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative that it has received requests to continue Section 301 tariffs on imports from China:

“Last week’s announcement from the United States Trade Representative is a disappointing and frustrating development for the countless American businesses, families, and consumers who continue to be harmed by these tariffs. USTR’s announcement – released late in the day heading into a holiday weekend – failed to provide transparency into the continuation requests it has received, offered no insight into Phase 2 of the review process, and provided no guidance for those who oppose the tariffs to weigh in.

“As we pointed out in our recent comments to the International Trade Commission, these tariffs have cost Americans more than $150 billion to date. Now, as the state of the economy grows increasingly uncertain it is imperative that USTR immediately makes all continuance requests publicly available, and also provides a comprehensive and transparent notice, comment and public hearing process for those hurt by the tariffs to voice their opposition.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C., (August 24, 2022) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) spokesperson Jonathan Gold today released the following statement calling for the immediate publication of comments filed with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the extension of Section 301 China tariffs and to open up Phase 2 of their 4-year “Review of Necessity” process.

“We are calling on USTR to immediately make publicly available any comments that have been filed requesting a continuation of the Section 301 China tariffs. The necessity review process required by statute makes clear that the tariffs terminate on their four-year anniversary absent a request from domestic industry that they be continued. While comments have clearly been filed, it is not clear whether they include a continuation request for both Lists 1 and 2 (and by extension, Lists 3 and 4a). With the four-year anniversaries of the tariffs now past, the tariffs should not be allowed to remain in place if USTR does not provide transparency regarding this aspect of the process.

Further, if USTR has received a continuation request, it should immediately announce a process for stakeholders impacted by the tariffs to respond to the continuation requests – including an opportunity to detail how the tariffs have harmed them. American businesses, consumers, workers, and families have already paid over $150 billion in tariffs since the trade war began. This process should include a public hearing.

We call on Ambassador Tai to take action now to release any continuation requests received by USTR and if so, to open Phase 2 of the 4-year review process to allow American companies and industries to provide their input on the tariffs’ harmful impact.”
 

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WASHINGTON, D.C., (August 2, 2022) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) spokesperson Jonathan Gold released the below statement following President Joe Biden’s recent discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping:

“While it is encouraging to see President Biden and President Xi working to bridge relations between the United States and China, it is essential that trade be at the forefront of any discussion. For more than four years, the tariffs enacted by the Trump administration have added a harmful and unnecessary tension to the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries. The tariffs have not only failed to encourage China to end its detrimental trading behaviors but have created burdensome costs for American families and businesses at a time when inflation is rampant. Businesses, workers and families across the U.S. are relying on the Biden administration to immediately repeal these tariffs.”
 

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WASHINGTON, D.C., (July 27, 2022) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) spokesperson Jonathan Gold released the below statement following the Senate’s passage of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022

“Congress has missed an opportunity to help the countless businesses, farmers, manufacturers, and consumers who continue to be harmed by the China 301 tariffs. We had hoped to see the passage of a China competition bill that included language to reinvigorate the tariffs exclusion process to provide needed tariff relief. Inaction is only making the situation worse, and we continue to call on policymakers to relieve the burden these tariffs have imposed since the start of the trade war. These tariffs are taxes that raise the prices of the goods Americans need most at a time they can least afford it, and the time to act is now.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C., (July 8, 2022) — Today, Americans for Free Trade (AFT), a broad coalition of American businesses, trade organizations, and workers united against tariffs, sent a prehearing statement to United States International Trade Commission (ITC) Chair David Johanson to include in the public record of Investigation No. 332-591, Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries. In the letter, AFT expressed appreciation for the ITC’s undertaking of an investigation into the effects of tariffs and reiterated the harmful impact they have had on the U.S. economy.

“Since the tariffs were first imposed nearly four years ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has assessed more than $140 billion dollars in tariffs on American companies who import products from China,” Americans for Free Trade wrote. “These taxes create tremendous uncertainty, increase the cost of doing business in the United States, and place a financial burden on American businesses – negatively impacting their ability to invest in their companies, hire more American workers, and remain competitive globally.”

AFT continues to call for an open and transparent assessment of the impact tariffs have had on the U.S. economy since the beginning of the trade war with China. For more than four years, the tariffs have contributed to increased costs for American businesses, manufacturers, farmers, and consumers.

More than 170 trade associations signed on to the letter. The full text of the letter may be found here and below.

July 8, 2022

David Johanson
Chair
U.S. International Trade Commission 
500 E Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20436

RE:     Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries, Investigation No. 332-591

Dear Chairman Johanson,

The Americans for Free Trade coalition, a broad alliance of American businesses, trade organizations, and workers united against tariffs, respectfully submits this prehearing statement to include in the public record of Investigation No. 332-591, Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries. We applaud the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for directing this investigation and appreciate the Commission commencing it without delay. We expect the study will show how the tariffs have negatively impacted our economy and contributed to record high inflation.

By way of background, Americans for Free Trade represents every part of the U.S. economy including manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we employ tens of millions of Americans through our vast supply chains. Our coalition was formed in 2018, when the Section 301 tariffs on imports from China were first imposed. While we support efforts to hold China accountable for failure to safeguard intellectual property rights and innovation through forced technology transfers, we raised concerns that imposing tariffs would have little positive impact on Chinese behavior and disproportionate negative economic impacts on American businesses, workers, and consumers. Over the last four years, that concern has become a reality.

Since the tariffs were first imposed nearly four years ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has assessed more than $140 billion dollars in tariffs on American companies who import products from China. These taxes create tremendous uncertainty, increase the cost of doing business in the United States, and place a financial burden on American businesses – negatively impacting their ability to invest in their companies, hire more American workers, and remain competitive globally. For many companies, the tariffs are a primary impediment to building or expanding manufacturing facilities in the United States. More recently, American companies have faced increased uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, historic supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and runaway inflation. This has created increased economic pressure on American companies and families and dampened U.S. competitiveness. 

We continue to call for an end to the China 301 tariffs that have had a disproportionate economic impact on American companies, consumers, and workers and that have failed to change China’s unfair trade practices. To assist the Commission’s work, we have collected the relevant academic and think tank research on the tariffs and their impact on the U.S. economy.[1] For example, according to a recent Moody’s Investor Service Report, the tariffs “hit American businesses and consumers hardest,” with China absorbing only 7.6 percent of the tariffs “while the rest of the tab was picked up by Americans.” Further, recent articles have highlighted that the tariffs are having a modest but real impact on inflationary pressures.[2] We believe the Commission’s investigation will reach similar conclusions.

We appreciate the Commission’s expertise and its undertaking of this important investigation. We look forward to participating in additional steps of this process and the Commission’s findings.

Sincerely,

Accessories Council

ACT | The App Association 

Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC)

ALMA, International (Association of Loudspeaker Manufacturing and Acoustics)

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)

American Association of Port Authorities

American Bakers Association

American Bridal & Prom Industry Association (ABPIA)

American Chemistry Council

American Clean Power Association 

American Down and Feather Council

American Fly Fishing Trade Association

American Home Furnishings Alliance

American Lighting Association

American Petroleum Institute

American Pyrotechnics Association

American Rental Association

American Seed Trade Association

American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

American Trucking Association

Arizona Technology Council

Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants Association

Association For Creative Industries

Association for PRINT Technologies

Association of American Publishers 

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) 

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Auto Care Association

Beer Institute

BSA | The Software Alliance

Business Alliance for Customs Modernization

California Retailers Association

Can Manufacturers Institute

Carolina Loggers Association

Chemical Industry Council of Delaware (CICD) 

Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT)

Coalition of Services Industries (CSI)

Colorado Retail Council

Columbia River Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.

Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

Consumer Brands Association

Consumer Technology Association

Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

CropLife America

Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Assn. of Washington State

Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders of Northern California

Electronic Transactions Association 

Energy Workforce & Technology Council

Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance 

Experiential Designers and Producers Association 

Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)

Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association

Flexible Packaging Association

Florida Ports Council

Florida Retail Federation

Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)

Fragrance Creators Association

Game Manufacturers Association

Gemini Shippers Association

Georgia Retailers

Global Chamber® 

Global Cold Chain Alliance 

Greeting Card Association

Halloween Industry Association

Home Fashion Products Association

Home Furnishings Association

Household and Commercial Products Association

Idaho Retailers Association

Illinois Retail Merchants Association

Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Association (IOPFDA)

Indiana Retail Council

Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)

International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)

International Foodservice Distributors Association

International Housewares Association

International Warehouse and Logistics Association (IWLA)

International Wood Products Association

ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association

Jeweler’s Vigilance Committee

Juice Products Association (JPA)

Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association

Leather and Hide Council of America

Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association

Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Assn.

Louisiana Retailers Association

Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association

Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association

Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay

Maryland Retailers Association

Michigan Chemistry Council

Michigan Retailers Association

Minnesota Retailers Association

Missouri Retailers Association

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

Motorcycle Industry Council

NAPIM (National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers)

National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)

National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) 

National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ)

National Association of Home Builders

National Association of Music Merchants

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM)

National Confectioners Association

National Council of Chain Restaurants

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

National Fisheries Institute

National Foreign Trade Council

National Grocers Association

National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association 

National Marine Manufacturers Association

National Pork Producers Council

National Restaurant Association

National Retail Federation

National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association

National Sporting Goods Association

Natural Products Association

New Jersey Retail Merchants Association

North American Association of Food Equipment 

Manufacturers (NAFEM)

North American Association of Uniform 

Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD)

North Carolina Retail Merchants Association

Ohio Council of Retail Merchants

Outdoor Industry Association

Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and 

Freight Forwarders Assns. Inc.

Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association

PeopleforBikes 

Personal Care Products Council

Pet Advocacy Network 

Pet Food Institute

Plumbing Manufacturers International 

Power Tool Institute (PTI)

PRINTING United Alliance

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association 

Retail Association of Maine

Retail Council of New York State

Retail Industry Leaders Association

Retailers Association of Massachusetts

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)

RV Industry Association

San Diego Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.

SEMI

Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)

Snowsports Industries America

Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)

South Dakota Retailers Association

Specialty Equipment Market Association

Specialty Vehicle Institute of America 

Sports & Fitness Industry Association

TechNet

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

Texas Water Infrastructure Network 

The Airforwarders Association

The Fertilizer Institute

The Hardwood Federation

Toy Association

Travel Goods Association

Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)

United States Council for International Business

United States Fashion Industry Association

US Global Value Chain Coalition

US-China Business Council

Vinyl Institute

Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores

Virginia Retail Federation

Virginia-DC District Export Council (VA-DC DEC)

Washington Retail Association

Water Quality Association

Window and Door Manufacturers Association

World Pet Association, Inc. (WPA)

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WASHINGTON, D.C., (June 29, 2022) — New data released by Americans for Free Trade, a broad coalition united in the fight against tariffs, reveals the steep price United States businesses, consumers, workers, and manufacturers have paid as part of the ongoing trade war with China. 

Americans have paid an estimated $129 billion in Section 301 tariffs between July 2018 and April 2022, and there is no sign that Section 301 tariffs are slowing. In fact, the last nine months (August 2021 – April 2022) have proven to be the most expensive yet.

“Between the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs from inflation, the last thing that American businesses and consumers should have to worry about are tariffs. Enough is enough,” said Americans for Free Trade spokesperson Jonathan Gold. “It’s been over four years since the trade war began, and people across the country are only continuing to suffer. If the Biden administration is serious about promoting worker-centric policies, it will move swiftly to remove the harmful tariffs and help U.S. companies recover.”

The data also showed that:

• The average monthly Section 301 tariffs paid under President Biden ($3.8 billion) are 67% higher than average monthly 301 tariffs paid under President Trump ($2.3 billion).
• About 55% of Section 301 tariffs were paid under President Trump ($71 billion) versus 45% under President Biden ($57 billion).
• Companies were able to avoid $21 billion in payments to the government up until the Section 301 tariffs exclusions were mostly ended on December 31, 2020.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27, 2022) — Americans for Free Trade (AFT) spokesperson Jonathan Gold released the below statement following yesterday’s speech by Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the Biden administration’s strategy for U.S. diplomatic relations with China.

“As Secretary Blinken noted in his speech, trade should support and create new opportunities for U.S. workers. However, that goal remains out of reach for many, as tariffs imposed by the previous administration remain in place on more than $350 billion worth of goods imported from China. These tariffs are taxes on American families, businesses, farmers, and manufacturers, and have been wholly ineffective in pushing China to end its abusive trade practices. For the Biden administration’s approach to relations with China to be successful, it must prioritize bringing this long-running trade war to an end.”

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