The Department of Commerce issued a notice regarding duty-free entry of scientific instruments from other countries. They reviewed applications from Cornell University and the University of Minnesota for instruments such as a six-axes sample manipulator and a multi-gas lamp, both made in China, as well as a spark plasma sintering system from Japan. These instruments will be used for scientific research in materials science and engineering, specifically for studying electronic properties and the behavior of ceramic and metal materials in extreme environments. After considering the applications, the Department approved the duty-free entry since no equivalent instruments are manufactured in the U.S.
Simple Explanation
Cornell University and the University of Minnesota asked the U.S. government if they could bring in special science tools from other countries without paying extra taxes, and the government said yes because those tools aren't made in the U.S.