As American workers and businesses struggle to recover from a pandemic – and brace for President Biden’s tax hikes and inflation – Ways and Means Republicans urged the Biden Administration to provide economic relief from Section 301 tariffs on imports by allowing all Americans the opportunity to make the case that exclusions of particular products are appropriate.

This is especially important to keep U.S. supply chains competitive against our global competitors in the midst of a supply chain crisis, and targeting the tariffs effectively can maximize their effectiveness in holding China accountable.

Ways and Means Republicans Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) led all Ways and Means Republican members, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and 139 bipartisan members in a letter to the Biden Administration:

KEY EXCERPTS:

REQUEST TO EXPAND TARIFF EXCLUSION PROCESS: 

“(W)e urge the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to immediately expand its exclusion process in order to support American workers, businesses, and our economic recovery. 

 

“We sincerely believe that such a process is a critical component of a worker-centric trade agenda, given that many Americans work in industries that are struggling to adjust their supply chains while remaining competitive with global competitors and adapting to the pandemic that continues to threaten their lives and livelihoods.”

 

HOLDING TRADE COMPETITORS ACCOUNTABLE: 

“We strongly support tough and effective action to address China’s unfair trade practices. China must be held accountable for commitments it has made to the United States and for its state-centered and non-market trade policies that have harmed American workers and the rules-based international trading system. 

“We share the view that we need a holistic and pragmatic approach to confront future challenges from China and defend our economic interests against unfair competition.”

 

OFFERING SUPPORT TO AMERICAN BUSINESSES: 

“The lapse – and continued absence – of critical exclusions have deepened the challenges for businesses and their workers, hindering efforts to relocate supply chains in sectors ranging from new-energy vehicles to semiconductors by raising the costs of critical inputs, components, and machinery. These increased costs are undermining the competitiveness of American manufacturing workers whose inputs are now more expensive compared to those made by foreign competitors. 

“Sadly, the Section 301 tariffs have broadly impacted U.S. businesses in the manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, retail, energy, technology, and services industries. These impacts have been strongest for small-and medium-sized enterprises that are less able to absorb the increased cost of tariffs. Section 301 tariffs have also harmed American families and consumers by raising prices on a wide range of consumer products.”

 

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.