The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Dec. 22 announced the results of a Section 301 investigation into China’s targeting of the semiconductor industry, determining that tariffs were necessary but would be delayed until June 23, 2027.
The office under the Biden administration had initiated the investigation one year ago. The USTR said that zero percent tariffs will go into effect on Dec. 23, increasing to “a rate to be announced” in 18 months, which the office will be required to announce 30 days before the tariff goes into effect.
The tariff delay follows President Donald Trump’s bilateral meeting with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping on Oct. 30 in South Korea, during which the nations extended a trade truce. The USTR had paused other trade actions tied to Section 301 investigations into China’s trade practices following that meeting, including delaying port fees and maritime sector tariffs and sanctions….