WASHINGTON - The Biden-Harris administration this week is expected to announce final implementation plans for steep tariff increases on certain Chinese imports, and if U.S. industry gets its way, many of the planned duties would be softened.
The White House had said initially the new tariffs would take effect on Aug. 1 but that was delayed until some time in September as the U.S. Trade Representative's office studied more than 1,100 public comments. A final determination is due by the end of August. China has vowed retaliation against the "bullying" tariff hikes and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said they showed that some in the U.S. may be "losing their minds."
Warnock and Ossoff also urged USTR to reconsider the planned 50% tariff on syringes, saying they could disrupt supplies for those used to feed newborn infants. Finnish stainless steelmaker Outokumpu, which operates a mill in Alabama, said it supported the increase and wants it extended to all steel products melted and poured in China and processed in other countries, such as Vietnam, to curb tariff circumvention.
British pop star Lily Allen says she has received death threats after revealing she returned an adopted puppy because it ate her family's passports. Animal rights charity PETA published an open letter to Allen saying it was "appalled" to hear she returned the dog, adding, that the pets "should never be treated as accessories to be discarded when they become inconvenient".