Biden Mulling Import Ban on Products From China Derived From Pangolins
The White House is considering whether to prompt the treasury secretary to prohibit imports of certain products from China that are derived from pangolins, an endangered species popularly known as scaly anteaters.
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President Joe Biden is seeking advice from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the State Department and the Interior Department on what the scope and implications would be for such a ban. Each agency seeks public comment through Nov. 14 on the potential ban and its scope, all three agencies said in a joint notice.
According to the notice, Biden notified Congress in November 2023 that Chinese nationals may be engaging in the trade or taking of eight species of pangolin, which as an endangered species is subject to guidelines informed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The notice suggests an ongoing demand for pangolin body parts, including scales, for medicinal purposes and consumption. China has taken some steps to curtail pangolin trafficking, but concerns remain about the significant demand for pangolin scales in China and the legal commercial trade there for pangolin scales for medicinal use from national stockpiles, the notice said.
The ban would be in place until the president or the interior secretary deems it no longer necessary.