Game Consoles Are Included in USTR's Official Document of Proposed Products for Trump's Extra 25% Tax

The next chapter in Trump's trade state of war against Cathay that's been going on for over a year may shortly bear upon fans of game consoles, as well.

A few days ago, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a document that is essentially a huge list of proposed products in danger of incurring in the boosted revenue enhancement (upwardly to 25%) president Donald Trump wants to impose to goods imported from China. These include video game consoles, controllers, and even coin or token operated arcade machines. We've highlighted the relevant products beneath and so you don't have to read all of the massive document.

8543.70.87 ........ Electric machines w/translation/dictionary; flatpanel displays except for heading 8528 (except 8528.51/61);infrared video game controller.

9504.30.00 ........ Money- or token-operated games for arcade, tabular array or parlor (o/than bowling aisle equipment) nesoi and parts and accessories thereof.

9504.50.00 ........ Video game consoles and machines, other than those of heading 9504.xxx.
9504.90.twoscore ........ Game machines (o/than money- or token-operated) and parts and accessories thereof.

8526.92.x ........ Radio remote control appliance for video game consoles.

Needless to say, this wouldn't exist good news for United states of america gamers. Next twelvemonth, probable during the Autumn flavor, Microsoft and Sony will push their adjacent-generation consoles which could be priced between $399 and $499. An additional tax of upward to 25% wouldn't help sales, that'southward for sure.

In case you're wondering, Microsoft should be affected too even if it is headquartered in the Usa every bit we all know. That's because the Xbox consoles, except for the original that was made in Guadalajara, Mexico, accept been produced in China for 2 generations at present.

Still, it is not the time for despair merely yet as this is simply a list of proposed products. The USTR has invited interested parties to share comments on said listing and they will have to exercise so by June 17th in order to be considered.

The Role of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comment and will agree a public hearing regarding this proposed modification.

USTR invites comments from interested persons with respect to the proposed activity to be taken in the investigation. To be assured of consideration, you must submit written comments past June 17, 2019. Posthearing rebuttal comments, which should exist limited to rebutting or supplementing testimony at the hearing, must be submitted inside 7 days afterward the last day of the public hearing.

USTR requests comments with respect to any aspect of the proposed action, including:
• The specific tariff subheadings to be subject field to increased duties, including whether the subheadings listed in the Annex should be retained or removed, or whether subheadings not currently on the list should be added.
• The level of the increment, if whatsoever, in the rate of duty.
• The appropriate aggregate level of trade to be covered by additional duties.

We'll keep an eye on the result of these hearings and whether game consoles will exist included in the terminal list of products due to receive this new revenue enhancement. Stay tuned on Wccftech in the meantime.