A trio of documents published Friday by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s office outlined more than 400 individual items that would be temporarily exempt from some of Trump’s recent tariff tranches. The documents indicate domestic companies and parties of interest had filed for many of the exemptions and that Lighthizer’s office had decided to grant those requests.
Among the list of exempted items are Christmas tree lights, water filters, pet supplies, remotes for gas fireplaces and anesthesia masks. The news comes the same week a group of Chinese trade deputies traveled to Washington to discuss a possible long-term commerce arrangement. The series of meetings between U.S. and Chinese trade officials is considered to be a precursor to a larger and more formal series of meetings scheduled for next month.
