On September 18,2024, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the completion of its four-year review of the Section 301 tariffs on products from China. The USTR continued to find that, although China had changed some specific unfair measures, China’s harmful forced technology transfer practices – in particular, its cyber theft and industrial espionage – have continued.  Accordingly, the USTR imposed tariffs on a number of products from China and increased the tariff rates on others, including a number of steel products. Specifically, the USTR increased the Section 301 tariff on carbon, alloy, and stainless steel wire from 7.5% to 25%, effective for imports entered on or after September 27, 2024.

The AWPA urged this result in comments filed with the UTR during the review.  The AWPA also pointed out that:

• Tariffs are the most effective means of inducing China to reform its economic policies
• American wire producers have increased investment and employmentas the result of the Section 301 tariffs, and
• Multiple domestic producers of wire and wire products ensure the availability and a competitive environment for U.S. customers.

Imports of downstream wire products from China –including rope, strand, cable, netting, fencing, cloth, nails, and other fasteners – were already subject to the Section 301 tariff of 25%.  Thus, as the result of its review, the USTR has harmonized the Section 301 tariff rate on imports of wire and wire products from China to a uniform rate of 25%.

The AWPA is monitoring the tariffs and will provide additional information as it becomes available.