Explainer | What are the 14 Chinese items on the US tariff list, and how important are they to China’s exports?
- US announced plans on Tuesday to increase tariffs on 14 categories of products from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, covering US$18 billion in imports
- The White House said the moves were in response to China’s ‘unfair trade practices and to counteract the resulting harms’
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US proposes new round of tariffs on China in latest trade war escalation
1. Battery parts (non-lithium-ion batteries)
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What is it? Batteries contain many components, including the anode, the cathode, an electrolyte and a separator.
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Tariff: Increase rate from 7.5 per cent to 25 per cent in 2024.
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Trade: In 2022, China exported US$475.7 million to the US, and last year the figure rose by 32 per cent to US$627.8 million.
2. Electric vehicles
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What is it? A vehicle that can be powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery and is capable of being charged from an external source.
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Tariff: Increase rate from 25 per cent to 100 per cent in 2024.
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Trade: In 2022, China exported US$459.3 million to the US, and last year the figure fell by 27.8 per cent to US$331.3 million.
3. Face masks
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What is it? Face masks, including medical face masks.
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Tariff: Increase rate from between zero and 7.5 per cent to 25 per cent in 2024.
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Trade: In 2022, China exported US$382.7 million to the US, and last year the figure fell by 80.6 per cent to US$74.4 million.
4. Lithium-ion electrical vehicle batteries
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What is it? A rechargeable battery used for electric vehicles.
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Tariff: Increase rate from 7.5 per cent per cent to 25 per cent in 2024.
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Trade: In 2022, China exported US$10.1 billion to the US, and last year the figure rose by 34 per cent to US$13.5 billion.