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USTRHigh activityReview recommended · 2026-07-10

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Leads trade enforcement actions, including the Section 301 investigation into China’s semiconductor policies and maritime/shipbuilding measures that affect equipment costs and logistics.

One-minute briefing

Agency snapshot

USTR concluded its Section 301 investigation into China’s semiconductor industry, finding China’s practices unreasonable. It set an initial 0% rate as of December 23, 2025 on identified Chinese semiconductors, scheduled to rise on June 23, 2027 to a final rate to be announced no later than May 24, 2027, applying to 18 HTS subheadings already subject to existing 50% Section 301 tariffs. Confirm the schedule against ustr.gov.

2
Active initiatives
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Upcoming deadlines
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Priority topics
Most important thing right now

Model the June 23, 2027 semiconductor tariff step-up (rate to be announced by May 24, 2027) into procurement and pricing forecasts.

Mandate & jurisdiction

What this agency does

Section 301 semiconductor tariffs feed directly into the cost of chips embedded in communications equipment members purchase.

Section 301 tariffs

Imposes tariffs on Chinese goods, including semiconductors used in communications equipment.

Investigations

Determines whether foreign practices are unreasonable and burden U.S. commerce.

Exclusions

Grants/denies product exclusions that affect input costs.

Jurisdiction

  • Section 301 trade enforcement
  • Tariff actions and exclusions
  • Trade agreement negotiation and enforcement
Who should care

Procurement, finance, and trade-compliance teams.

Operational

Input-cost planning for chip-bearing equipment.

Compliance

HTS classification and tariff exposure of imported components.

Procurement

Supplier selection and cost forecasting around tariff steps.

Initiatives & deadlines

What they are working on now

UpcomingEffectiveExport controls and tariffs 2025-12-23

Section 301 semiconductor investigation and tariffs

USTR determined China’s semiconductor policies are unreasonable and burden U.S. commerce. An initial 0% rate applies as of December 23, 2025 on identified Chinese semiconductors, rising June 23, 2027 to a final rate announced no later than May 24, 2027, on 18 HTS subheadings already subject to 50% Section 301 tariffs.

MonitorMonitoringExport controls and tariffs

Maritime / shipbuilding Section 301 measures

USTR has pursued Section 301 measures targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding dominance, including fees on Chinese-built or -operated vessels that can affect shipping costs for imported equipment.

Upcoming dates

  • 2027-05-24Final Section 301 semiconductor tariff rate to be announced
  • 2027-06-23Section 301 semiconductor tariff rate increase takes effect
Key decision-makers

Leadership to know

We focus on the roles whose decisions reach members, and why each one matters — not biographical trivia. Names are intentionally withheld until verified against an official source.

Jamieson Greer
U.S. Trade Representative

Why it mattersDirects Section 301 enforcement and tariff decisions.

Review recommended
Working Group analysis

What we are watching

Confidence: ExpectedStrong signals point this way, but no final official action yet.

What changed

  • Section 301 semiconductor determination finalized; initial 0% rate set Dec 23, 2025.

What we are watching

  • Final rate level and covered HTS subheadings.
  • Maritime/shipbuilding fee implementation.

Member exposure

  • Chip cost increases feeding equipment prices.
  • Freight-cost exposure from maritime measures.

Recommended preparation

  • Map HTS exposure of imported components.
  • Build the 2027 step-up into cost models.

Open questions

  • What will the final semiconductor rate be?
Primary references

Sources & verification

Agency-level sources

This profile is a sample interface. Leadership names, dates, regulatory status, and figures must be confirmed against current official sources before any member distribution.