China to refund US trade war tariffs on some medical devices amid coronavirus outbreak
- Medical devices vital to coronavirus diagnosis among those exempt from US trade war tariffs as China tackles shortage of medical supplies
- China has made multiple moves this week that imply it is trying to meet phase one trade deal, signed in January
China said on Friday it would refund tariffs already paid on a list of 55 US-made products including medical devices, engine components and timber products.
The list of products includes some medical devices that are essential for the diagnosis of coronavirus, which causes the disease officially known as Covid-19, and which has already infected more than 75,000 people and killed more than 2,000 in China. These products include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parts and X-rays tubes, a key component in radiography.
The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said in a notice that it would not collect tariffs on a list of 55 products from February 28 this year to February 27 next year. Importers that have been paying tariffs could apply for a refund over the course of a six-month period from Friday.
Tariffs will also be postponed on a further 10 products, including some scientific instruments such as gene sequencers and temperature sensors, over the same data range. However, tariff rebates will not be available on these items, the notice said.