Last Friday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative ("USTR") issued lists of products from six countries that may be subject to additional 25 percent tariffs.  The proposed product lists identified by USTR are designed to offset digital services taxes ("DST")1 imposed by Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and that USTR has determined violate Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2411). Additional information on USTR's investigations can be found  here.

The initial Section 301 action was brought against 10 countries, however, USTR also announced it was formally terminating cases against Brazil, the Czech Republic, the European Union and Indonesia because these countries had not implemented or adopted any digital service taxes. USTR's announcement did not address a separate Section 301 digital services action brought against France, covering $1.3 billion worth of French goods that was suspended by the previous administration.

For the cases going forward, each of USTR's notices requests comments and information from parties on whether action is appropriate, and if so, the appropriate action to be taken.  In particular, USTR seeks comments on:

  • The level of the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce resulting from the country at issue's DST.
  • The appropriate aggregate level of trade to be covered by additional duties.
  • The specific products to be subject to increased duties, including whether USTR's proposed lists should be retained or removed, or whether tariff subheadings not currently on the list should be added.
  • The level of the increase, if any, in the rate of duty on items covered.

USTR will hold a hearing regarding the proposed remedy for each of the six subject countries, as well as a "multi-jurisdictional" hearing for issues that concern more than one country.  Requests to appear at each hearing (including a summary of the testimony to be given) must be submitted to USTR by April 21, 2021, and written submissions must be submitted by April 30, 2021.

USTR's federal register notices, and prior relevant documents concerning the agency's investigations, are available at the agency's website.  Among the products identified on USTR's six lists are seafood, children's clothing, jewelry, and certain furniture items.  If you require assistance responding to USTR's request, please don't hesitate to contact Kelley Drye's international trade team.

Footnotes

1 Digital service taxes apply to revenues that certain companies generate overseas from the provision of digital services to, or aimed at, users in those jurisdictions.  Taxable digital services might include providing digital interface, targeted advertising, and the transmission of data collected about users for advertising purposes.  The goods identified on USTRs list are not specifically linked to services subject to the relevant DSTs.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.