The USTR has extended 178 exclusions from additional Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products for two months, moving the expiry date from 9 November 2026 to 9 January 2027. The extension covers 164 general product exclusions and 14 solar manufacturing equipment exclusions
The US has extended all 178 existing exclusions from additional tariffs on certain Chinese products under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 until 9 January 2027. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the extension in a notice published on 10 November 2026.
The exclusions were previously due to expire on 9 November 2026.
Breakdown of the 178 exclusions & HTSUS amendments
The 178 exclusions fall under two HTSUS headings:
- Heading 9903.88.69 (Annex A): Covers 164 product exclusions originally extended in May 2024. These are detailed in U.S. notes 20(vvv)(i)–(iv).
- Heading 9903.88.70 (Annex B): Covers 14 exclusions for solar manufacturing equipment introduced in September 2024. These are governed by US note 20(www).
For both categories, the amendments replace the previous expiry date of 9 November 2026 with 9 January 2027.
The extension is part of ongoing US-China trade negotiations aimed at managing trade tensions and facilitating bilateral trade. It builds on the trade and economic agreement reached between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping on 1 November 2025. Under the agreement, the US extended the tariff exclusions through November 2026, while China agreed to extend reciprocal tariff exclusions through 31 December 2026 to facilitate purchases of US goods.
In reaching its decision, the USTR considered public comments, advisory committee recommendations, and advice from the interagency Section 301 Committee. The assessment covered the economic impact of the exclusions on US interests and their alignment with the administration’s trade policy priorities, including addressing China’s technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation practices.
The extension was made under Section 307(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorises the Trade Representative to modify or terminate Section 301 actions, subject to presidential direction, when circumstances warrant.
