New Democrat Coalition Members' Statement on Trump Administration’s Tariffs on China
Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04); New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05); and Ways & Means Committee Members Ron Kind (WI-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement after reports that the Administration will move forward with $50 billion in tariffs on China:
“There are many reasons for the United States to work with our allies to reign in many of the trade and investment abuses of China. Stealing our companies’ intellectual property, forced technology transfers, lack of market access to U.S. products and mandatory joint ventures are not in line with the values and norms that anchor our rules-based trading system. The United States should work with our allies to create a comprehensive strategy to bring China to the table to address these issues.
“However, by implementing billions of dollars in tariffs on goods from China, today President Trump is taking another step to escalate a trade war. Coupled with his abuse of the Section 232 tariff process and continued threats to unilaterally withdraw from NAFTA, President Trump is dangerously increasing the price of everyday items American consumers and businesses purchase, harming exporters who are subject to retaliatory measures and undermining the international economic system the United States created and has led for the last seven decades. This go-it-alone approach is all done without properly consulting with Congress or economic reality.
“The time for Republican half measures has passed. Congressional Republicans have the power to hold President Trump’s protectionist tendencies in check, but choose not to. We implore Republicans to join us in stopping the President’s unilateral trade protectionism, which is jeopardizing our jobs, economy and national security.”
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