USITC launches study on ending China PNTR

The investigation, titled Effects on the US Economy of Revoking China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status (Inv. No. 332-609), will assess how withdrawing PNTR treatment for all Chinese products could affect the US economy, domestic industries and sourcing patterns over a six-year period.

The probe follows guidance from the House Appropriations Committee accompanying the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026.

According to the Commission, the report will provide detailed analysis, where practicable, on US trade, production and pricing in industries most directly affected by the potential application of column 2 duty rates under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to Chinese imports.

The agency will also examine an alternative scenario in which Congress revokes PNTR status with a five-year phased introduction of tariffs on a subset of national security-related products, according to its press release.

Given the accelerated timeline, the USITC will not hold a public hearing. Instead, stakeholders are invited to submit written comments to the Secretary of the Commission by April 13, 2026.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)