The Office of the United States Trade Representative has extended tariff exclusions for 178 products imported from China, citing the ‘historic trade and economic deal’ reached between President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in early November.
In a statement posted on the agency’s website, USTR official Jennifer Thornton said the exclusions, which were due to expire on 29 November 2025, will now remain in place until 10 November 2026. The products fall under the Section 301 tariff program targeting Chinese imports.
Among the items covered are shredder hammers and other wear parts used in metal shredding and recycling operations. Without the exemption, these components would face a 25% tariff.
The Washington-based Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), which has been in regular contact with USTR on the issue, has pushed for these parts to be permanently removed from tariff exposure.
“ReMA continues to urge the Trump administration to permanently exclude shredder wear parts and other components, equipment, and machinery from any of the tariff programs, including the Section 301 duties from China,” ReMA vice president Adam Shaffer said in September as the previous deadline approached.
Despite the extension, the products still face several other duties. These include a 50% Section 232 tariff on steel and steel products, as well as a 10% tariff tied to China’s role in the export of the opioid fentanyl.
Shaffer said in September that expanding Section 232 steel derivative tariffs to cover shredder wear parts would significantly affect recyclers, adding that ReMA remained concerned about the broader impact on the industry.
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