U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.) recently called on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to establish a process that allows U.S. companies to request an exclusion from the recent tariffs imposed on $200 billion of Chinese imports. This process would help U.S. companies retain global competitiveness, and would help target the effects of the tariffs on China, rather than on U.S. companies and consumers.
“We need to hold China accountable, but we need to do it in a way that doesn’t harm American manufacturers, farmers, workers, and consumers,” said Walorski. “A fair and transparent exclusion process for U.S. businesses will help minimize the negative impact of these tariffs and build on our nation’s economic momentum. The administration should heed our bipartisan call to establish a strong exclusion process and ensure we stay focused on the real target, which is China’s unfair trade practices.”
Exclusions were established for all previous rounds of tariffs, but have been neglectfully omitted for the most recent tariffs. Walorski and Kind were joined by a bipartisan coalition of 167 Members of Congress.
“The very least this Administration can do is provide businesses the ability to petition their government to prove their case that these tariffs will hurt their businesses, workers, and customers alike,” said Kind. “I am committed to working together to ensure we find a safe landing zone for American farmers and businesses, and will continue to call on the President and Ambassador Lighthizer to end these reckless tariffs.”
