WASHINGTON, D.C., (January, 29, 2021) — Today, Americans for Free Trade sent a letter to the 117th Congress urging lawmakers to resolve ongoing trade disputes and extend section 301 tariff exclusions.
Over 165 trade associations signed the letter, calling on members of Congress to take immediate action to eliminate harmful trade practices and provide relief to struggling Americans.
“As the 117th Congress considers bold new measures to address the ongoing public health and economic crises, we urge Members to examine closely the negative impact that tariffs have caused to American families, American workers, and American businesses over the last several years and consider a thorough study of whether they have met their stated objectives,” Americans for Free Trade wrote. “Lifting the additional tariffs is a simple, straightforward way to provide an economic boost to American families, American workers, and American businesses and to help ensure a successful economic recovery.
The full text of the letter to House leadership may be found here and below.
January 29, 2021
Dear Members of the 117th Congress,
Congratulations on becoming a Member of the 117th Congress. We appreciate your dedication to public service and your willingness to make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans.
Our companies and associations joined together to form Americans for Free Trade in 2018. Our coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy including manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we employ tens of millions of Americans, including many of your constituents, through our vast supply chains.
The 117th Congress is beginning during a period of unprecedented difficulty and uncertainty for American families and American businesses. As businesses around the country try to implement and sustain a full and successful recovery from the ongoing economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during a resurgence of cases and new restrictions on business operations, they need as much certainty as possible. That certainty can be provided in a number of ways, including by collaborating with our trading partners and allies to address violations of U.S. trade law, and by negotiating trade agreements that open up markets for – rather than trigger retaliation against – American exporters and the tens of millions of workers who rely on export markets around the world.
One area that needs immediate attention relates to our tariff policy. Over the last several years, American businesses and families have been assessed more than $85 billion in additional tariffs. These tariffs have resulted in less money in the pockets of American families, a slowdown in U.S. manufacturing, and decreased competitiveness for American businesses vis-à-vis their counterparts in Europe and Asia. Tariffs are taxes. They have created tremendous uncertainty and financial pain for American families, American workers, and American businesses.
As the 117th Congress considers bold new measures to address the ongoing public health and economic crises, we urge Members to examine closely the negative impact that tariffs have caused to American families, American workers, and American businesses over the last several years and consider a thorough study of whether they have met their stated objectives. This should include a request to the independent, bipartisan U.S. International Trade Commission to conduct an economic analysis regarding the impact of the tariffs in key areas, such as American jobs, manufacturing, competitiveness, innovation, and economic growth. In addition, we urge the appropriate committees of jurisdiction to examine the effectiveness of the tariffs and the section 301 product exclusion process administered by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
As the 117th Congress conducts these important oversight activities, we also ask that Members urge USTR to take the following immediate actions:
- Reinstate the section 301 product exclusion process, including a retroactive extension for product exclusions that expired during 2020 to provide economic relief and predictability for American businesses, workers, and families;
- Improve the section 301 process to ensure it is administered in a fair, transparent, and predictable manner;
- Automatically extend all section 301 product exclusions for COVID response items so that American families and businesses can get the personal protective equipment, cleaning equipment, and manufacturing inputs they need to respond to the ongoing public health emergency;
- Resolve ongoing trade disputes through targeted actions and concerted bilateral engagement that reduces trade barriers and opens markets for American exporters – not one that imposes additional burdens on American businesses, American workers, and American families through tariffs and closes markets when trading partners retaliate.
Lifting the additional tariffs is a simple, straightforward way to provide an economic boost to American families, American workers, and American businesses and to help ensure a successful economic recovery. It is also an important step to repairing relationships with U.S. trading partners and allies and restoring our standing on the world stage.
If you have any questions about the AFT coalition, please visit our website at www.americansforfreetrade.com or email us at info@americansforfreetrade.com.