Democrats Introduce Bill in House to Repeal Section 338 of Tariff Act of 1930
Five Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee introduced a bill this week that would repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows a president to impose 50% tariffs on trading partners if they're deemed to be discriminating against U.S. products. It doesn't require the president to disclose the evidence of discrimination.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., wrote the bill, and was joined by Reps. Suzan DelBene of Washington, Terri Sewell of Alabama, Don Beyer of Virginia and Jimmy Panetta of California.
"Since taking office, President [Donald] Trump has taken a reckless, arbitrary, and punitive approach to trade policy that will only hurt American consumers, American companies, and the entire U.S. economy," Schneider said in a press release statement. "Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibilities and step in to put a check on the President’s authority to punish our small businesses, retirement accounts, and economy. That’s what the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act will do -- it removes a dangerous, never-before-used tool, Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, from President Trump’s arsenal and reclaims Congress’s trade authority."
Beyer called Section 338 "an unacceptable risk to our economy."
“In a few short months, President Trump has abused multiple trade authorities as he initiates trade wars with our allies," Sewell said. "Congress must act to draw back trade authorities from this administration in order to protect American consumers, farmers, and manufacturers from President Trump’s reckless trade agenda."