U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) has released the following statement after the administration released a preliminary list of Chinese products to be subject to tariffs:
“President Trump is right to take action to address China’s unfair trade practices, in particular their rampant intellectual property theft that hurts our economic growth, stifles innovation, and costs American jobs. However, any action must be targeted and balanced to avoid reversing the economic momentum driven by historic tax cuts and regulatory reforms. I will continue working with the administration to protect Hoosier manufacturers, farmers, and workers.”
At a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Congresswoman Walorski pressed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on the administration’s response to threats of retaliatory tariffs that could harm American farmers, manufacturers, and other small businesses. She called on the administration to consider the impact retaliatory measures could have on small businesses and family farmers in Indiana.
Walorski has also worked to minimize the harmful impact of the steel and aluminum tariffs that recently took effect. After Walorski led 15 of her “Ways and Means” colleagues in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urging retroactive relief for companies that successfully petition for product exclusions from the tariffs, President Trump signed an order ensuring tariffs paid while a product exclusion request is pending will be returned if the exclusion is granted.