LED Products on China Tariff List

The U.S. Trade Representative released a proposed tariff list of Chinese products on Tuesday, April 3. 1,300 products are on the list, including LEDs and LED parts.

President Trump announced in March that the U.S. would impose approximately $50 billion in response to a trade deficit the U.S. currently has with China, along with a response to China’s policies that force American companies to transfer technology and intellectual property to Chinese enterprises. These policies bolster China’s stated intention of seizing economic leadership in advanced technology as set forth in its industrial plans, such as “Made in China 2025.”

China has responded to the tariffs by imposing their own, which has led to what many are calling a “trade war” between the two countries. On Wednesday, April 4, China announced that it will match any future tariffs equally.

The initial list of items for tariff includes “Harmonized Tariff Summary” number 85414021, which simply states “Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).” Item number 84519000 on the list of items for the U.S. tariff is “parts of diodes, transistors, similar semiconductor devices, photosensitive semiconductor devices, LEDs, and mounted piezoelectric crystals.” Many lighting companies headquartered around the world use Chinese factories to manufacture LEDs and then import the products. Additionally, a number of small Chinese-based LED companies have appeared in the North American market, and they are driving LED prices down.

Other items on the list, including dozens of steel and aluminum products, are insulated copper wire, electrical controls, panels and boards for electrical controls, and switches for making connections to electrical circuits.

You can read the allegations against the Chinese government and see the complete list of items that face a tariff here.