WASHINGTON – The US Trade Representative’s office said that tariff exemptions on Chinese-made medical supplies essential to combat the COVID-19 epidemic have been extended for another six months, until November 30.

Exemptions from tariffs of up to 25% imposed by former President Donald Trump’s administration were granted in 2020 and were later extended, but they were set to expire on May 31, according to the US Trade Representative. Face masks, surgical gloves, hospital gowns, and other associated products and gadgets are all affected by the extension.

The trade war between the United States and China began when then-President Donald Trump placed tariffs on Chinese goods worth USD350 billion, alleging unfair trade practises and theft of US technology and intellectual property as reasons.

[embedpost slug=”/us-temporarily-suspends-tariffs-on-ukraine-steel-imports/”]

President Joe Biden is under pressure to terminate so-called “Section 301” tariffs, which are set to expire in July. Inflation is at its highest level in more than four decades.

USTR officials have stated that they are reaching out to businesses and the general public for feedback on whether or not the tariffs should be extended.

In January 2020, Washington and Beijing signed a so-called “phase one” trade agreement, under which Beijing agreed to raise its purchases of American goods and services by at least USD200 billion between 2020 and 2021 — a target that was not met because to the COVID-19 outbreak.