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Businesses say China tariffs contributing to hand sanitizer shortages

Photo: Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Medical supply companies around the United States have asked the Trump administration for relief from the tariffs on China, which they say are increasing the cost of products needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Why it matters: Parts of the country are experiencing shortages of hand sanitizer chemicals, equipment, parts for devices and other items needed in the fight against the coronavirus, and businesses say the tariffs are exacerbating the shortages.

Lubrizol Corp. asked the U.S. to remove the 25% tariff on glutaraldehyde, a disinfectant the company said is effective at killing the coronavirus.

  • Berry Global Group Inc., which makes sanitary wipes, said tariffs on viscose rayon fibers “are a significant financial imposition," according to WSJ.
  • GM asked the Trump administration last week to lift import tariffs on compressor silencers, grommets and other parts imported from China needed to make ventilators for coronavirus patients.

The big picture: The U.S. still imposes tariffs on about $370 billion in Chinese goods, despite the "phase one" trade agreement signed by each country.

Go deeper: What's next in the race for a coronavirus treatment

Go deeper

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

McConnell drops filibuster demand, paving way for power-sharing deal

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attend a joint session of Congress. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has abandoned his demand that Democrats state, in writing, that they would not abandon the legislative filibuster.

Between the lines: McConnell was never going to agree to a 50-50 power sharing deal without putting up a fight over keeping the 60-vote threshold. But the minority leader ultimately caved after it became clear that delaying the organizing resolution was no longer feasible.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Ashley Gold
4 hours ago - Technology

Scoop: Google won't donate to members of Congress who voted against election results

Sen. Ted Cruz led the group of Republicans who opposed certifying the results. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Google will not make contributions from its political action committee this cycle to any member of Congress who voted against certifying the results of the presidential election, following the deadly Capitol riot.

Why it matters: Several major businesses paused or pulled political donations following the events of Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters, riled up by former President Trump, stormed the Capitol on the day it was to certify the election results.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Minority Mitch still setting Senate agenda

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Chuck Schumer may be majority leader, yet in many ways, Mitch McConnell is still running the Senate show — and his counterpart is about done with it.

Why it matters: McConnell rolled over Democrats unapologetically, and kept tight control over his fellow Republicans, while in the majority. But he's showing equal skill as minority leader, using political jiujitsu to convert a perceived weakness into strength.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow

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