US considers extending tariff relief for Chinese medical gear used to fight Covid-19

The tariff exemptions on the medical goods and personal protective equipment used to fight Covid-19 are set to expire on September 30

No broader decision has yet been made about other tariffs imposed during the Trump administration

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The administration of US President Joe Biden will soon decide whether to continue exempting from China tariffs some medical goods that are in demand during the pandemic, such as face masks. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:26am, 27 Aug 2021Updated: 10:44pm, 27 Aug 2021

The administration of US President Joe Biden will soon decide whether to extend tariff exemptions for Chinese-made masks, gloves and other goods needed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a notice set to be published on Friday by the US Trade Representative’s office.

“With the recent spread of the Delta variant, COVID-19 cases in the United States are increasing again,” the notice says.

“In light of these changing circumstances, including the ability of the United States to obtain certain products domestically or from other sources, USTR is requesting public comments on whether to extend particular exclusions for COVID-19 products for up to six months,” it says.

The announcement comes as Washington and Beijing continue to clash on a range of fronts, including trade policy.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has accused China of “coercive and unfair trade practices”. Photo: AFP

During the administration of former US President Donald Trump, the two countries heaped tariffs back and forth on billions of dollars’ worth of goods. Beyond the Covid-19 exemptions under consideration, the Biden administration has not yet announced whether it will keep the rest of the tariffs that Trump imposed on Chinese goods.

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