The muted response of the agriculture secretary to Mexico's concessions on genetically modified corn was not enough, according to Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Smith sent a letter Feb. 15 to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai arguing that it is time to initiate a formal dispute over the non-tariff-barriers.
Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., introduced legislation Feb. 9 that would prohibit the U.S. from granting China developing nation status in future treaties and international organizations, and direct the secretary of state to pursue removal of developing status from China in current U.S. international commitments, according to a press release. The Ending China’s Developing Nation Status Act also would require the State Department to report to Congress on China’s status in any treaties under consideration. Romney introduced similar legislation in December before the previous Congress ended.
A group of Texas members of the House of Representatives wrote to officials at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA lauding their “forceful stand” against Mexican attempts to ban imports of genetically modified corn, and urging them to file a USMCA dispute if an agreement with Mexico is not reached.
Senators are working closely with the Biden administration, and believe they have its support, on a bill that could strengthen the ability of the U.S. to respond to economic coercion by foreign countries (see 2302080068). The bill, reintroduced this week by Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Chris Coons, D-Del., could allow the president to lower duties on non-import-sensitive goods made by a country that lost exports due to coercive actions; increase duties on imports from the "foreign adversary" committing the coercion; and allow the U.S. to more easily facilitate trade with the coerced parties.
Two Democrats and a Republican are asking the CEO of Shein, a fast-fashion powerhouse, about its use of de minimis and its purchases of Xinjiang cotton. All products made in Xinjiang are barred from entry to the U.S., unless importers can prove they were not made with forced labor, but small packages imported directly by consumers escape CBP scrutiny.
A hearing in the House of Representatives on America's critical minerals dependency showed agreement among Democrats and Republicans that more U.S. production and more coordination with allies is needed so that China is not so dominant in the critical minerals supply chain -- and that trade protection is needed so that domestic producers can compete with subsidized Chinese players.
Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Chris Coons, D-Del., reintroduced a bill that would give the president the authority to lower duties on non-import-sensitive goods made by a country that lost exports due to coercive actions, and increase duties on imports from the "foreign adversary" committing economic coercion. It would also give the administration the ability to waive some export financing requirements and expedite regulations to facilitate trade with the coerced parties.
Congress should “pressure” the Biden administration to pursue free trade deals with the U.K., Kenya, Taiwan and others if it wants to convince U.S. allies to move supply chains out of China, said Clete Willems, a former National Security Council official. Willems, speaking during a House Financial Services Committee hearing this week, also called on the administration to join and renegotiate the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, arguing the U.S. needs to match China’s “aggressive pursuit” of trade deals, specifically mentioning the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
With hostile acts like China recently sending a spy balloon drifting across the U.S., Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said it's difficult to manage the U.S.-China relationship "when our economies are deeply integrated."
No House Ways and Means Committee members are among the Democratic Party's choices for the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, suggesting that changes in tariff policy are not a high priority for Democratic leadership.