Senator Calls for Trump to Make It Easier on Small Businesses to File AD/CV Duty Cases
President Donald Trump should work to relieve the "financial and procedural burdens" for small firms pursuing antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, Sen. Angus King, I-Maine said in a letter to Trump (here). King said that he personally knows several Maine…
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businesses that chose not to file AD and CV petitions because of financial challenges, which he said disproportionately affect small and medium-size businesses. King called for the Commerce Department to explore the use of more self-initiated investigations, as suggested by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (see 1701180053). "If self-initiated investigations would have no practical effect for small businesses, however, since most costs are incurred during the investigation phase, then I request that the Administration commit to finding better solutions to this persistent problem." Trump should also “respect the boundaries of the international trade system,” King said in response to an executive trade agenda that highlighted national law as a priority over World Trade Organization rules (see 1703020072). “Fair trade is only enhanced by our participation in and commitment to international trade institutions,” King said. Trump should also work with lawmakers on NAFTA renogotiations and other trade issues in the future even when not required, King said. "Though you possess the statutory power to unilaterally carry out many of your preferred trade policies, I strongly urge you to consult closely with Congress in order to learn how particular trade reforms might impact key state industries and economies," he said.