Trump Administration to Conduct Review Process on ITC Large Residential Washers Safeguard Recommendations
The Trump administration will accept public input on recommendations from the International Trade Commission for potential trade remedies that might be imposed after the ITC reached an affirmative injury determination in its Section 201 safeguard investigation on large residential washers, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said. The ITC's final report is due to the White House Dec. 4. President Donald Trump will then have about two months to adopt or reject the ITC’s recommendations, or opt to set other trade restrictions. USTR will accept written comments through Dec. 11, and written responses to the initial round of comments through Dec. 18, including from domestic producers, importers, exporters or other interested parties, USTR said. Further, the interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will hold a public hearing on the matter on Jan. 3, 2018.
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The TPSC also will make a recommendation to the president that will take into account the ITC recommendation, the extent to which the domestic industry will benefit from adjustment assistance, the efforts of the domestic industry to make positive adjustments, and other relevant considerations, USTR said. ITC on Nov. 21 announced it was recommending a three-year tariff-rate quota, with large residential washers imported above a threshold of 1.2 million units subject to a 50 percent rate of duty in year one, decreasing to 45 percent in year two and 40 percent in year three (see 1711220036). But USTR said potential action also might include other duties, quantitative restrictions, agreements with foreign countries to limit their exports, import licensing, "legislative proposals" or other "action consistent with the President’s authority."
(Federal Register 11/30/17)