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[White House Announces Temporary Import Tariff Effective Date and Exemptions] On February 20, local time, the White House issued a statement saying that US President Trump signed a proclamation announcing temporary import tariffs. Trump invoked the power granted by Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes the president to address certain fundamental international payment issues through surcharges and other special import restrictions. The proclamation stipulates a 10% ad valorem import tariff on goods imported into the United States for a period of 150 days. This temporary import tariff will take effect on February 24, Eastern Time. Due to the needs of the US economy, or to ensure that the tariff more effectively addresses fundamental international payment issues facing the United States, some goods will be exempt from this temporary import tariff. These include: certain critical minerals, metals used for currency and gold and silver bars, energy and energy products; natural resources and fertilizers that cannot be grown, mined, or otherwise produced in the United States, or that cannot be grown, mined, or otherwise produced in sufficient quantities to meet domestic demand; certain agricultural products, including beef, tomatoes, and oranges; pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients; certain electronic products; passenger cars, certain light trucks, certain medium and heavy vehicles, buses, and certain components of passenger cars, light trucks, heavy vehicles, and buses; certain aerospace products; and informational materials (such as books), donated items, and personal baggage. In addition, certain goods are exempt from provisional import duties, including all articles and components currently or to be subject to Section 232, Canadian and Mexican goods conforming to the USMCA, and textiles and apparel imported duty-free under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement as goods from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua. In another executive order, Trump reiterated and continued the suspension of duty-free treatment for low-value goods, including those shipped via the international postal system, which will also be subject to provisional import duties under Section 122. In addition to the measures taken that day, Trump also directed the Office of the United States Trade Representative to use its powers under Section 301 to investigate certain unreasonable and discriminatory practices, policies, and regulations. (CCTV News)