On Wednesday, November 26, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) once again announced the extension of certain tariff exemptions on imported goods from China under Section 301 for nearly a year.
The USTR stated that it is extending the expiration date of 178 exclusions from the Section 301 investigation on Chinese practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation laws, policies, and practices to November 10, 2026. These tariff exemptions for the goods have been extended multiple times, with the most recent expiration date being November 29, 2025.
The 178 Chinese imported products include 164 general product exemptions and 14 exemptions related to solar manufacturing equipment. This means that certain industrial components, medical equipment, mechanical parts, and solar manufacturing equipment such as wafer cutting machines and battery interconnect equipment can continue to be exempt from the Section 301 tariffs.
The statement mentioned that the extension of these exemptions is based on the trade and economic agreement reached between President Trump and the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, which was announced by the White House on November 1, 2025.
The statement further said, “In light of the agreement and the public comments received supporting further extensions of the exemptions, and in accordance with the President’s direction, the USTR decided to extend the 178 exemptions originally set to expire on November 29, 2025, to November 10, 2026.”
Extending the tariff exemptions can provide more time for U.S. importers to adjust their supply chains, especially for products that are difficult to source from outside of China, while also supporting efforts to reduce American reliance on Chinese supply chains.
This move underscores the ongoing negotiations and efforts to manage trade relations between the United States and China, highlighting the complexities and impacts of global trade dynamics on various industries and sectors. It reflects the evolving nature of international trade policies and collaborations aimed at promoting fair and mutually beneficial trade practices.