USTR's ‘Bilateral Evaluation’ Office to 'Monitor' Chinese Compliance With Phase 1 Deal

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative formed a “bilateral evaluation and dispute resolution office” that will “monitor” China’s compliance with the phase one trade deal and work with a counterpart office in Beijing to resolve disputes, said the agency Friday. Deputy USTR Jeffrey Gerrish will head the office, it said. The office is part of an elaborate “arrangement” built into phase one to enforce its terms and douse any future fires (see 2001160022). Phase one was signed Jan. 15 and took effect Friday. With it came the 50% rollback to 7.5% in the rate of Section 301 List 4A tariffs on finished TVs from China and other consumer tech goods.