The United States is moving forward with Section 301 tariffs on a range of Chinese commodity imports, including steel, aluminum, lithium-ion batteries, and other critical minerals, as announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on September 13, 2024. The tariffs, set at 25%, will affect commodities like steel, aluminum, and lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, alongside various ores, concentrates, and alloys critical for industrial use. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on or before September 27, 2024.
The decision comes as the US seeks to address concerns over China’s trade practices, particularly around government subsidies and alleged dumping practices. The new tariffs aim to protect domestic industries from unfair competition while maintaining pressure on China amid ongoing trade tensions.
In a related development, the US Commerce Department concluded that carbon and alloy steel plates from France were not sold at unfairly low prices, leading to a zero-dumping margin for French producer Dillinger. However, the department also found that imports of Chinese alloy steel pins circumvented existing antidumping duties, leading to tighter certification requirements for importers.
These moves come amid growing global concerns about the competitiveness of steel and other critical industries, with the European steel sector also calling for increased protections through a proposed “Clean Industrial Deal.”
