A group of 141 congressional representatives on Thursday urged the top US trade official to allow broader exemptions to the tariffs on Chinese goods paid by American firms.
While Beijing should be held accountable for unfair trade practices, the tariffs are hurting US businesses and exacerbating supply issues that are driving up prices, the representatives said in a letter to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
The US in October restored a limited number of products to a list of goods eligible for exclusions from the tariffs, but the lawmakers called for an expansion making all targeted goods eligible for relief.
“We strongly support tough and effective action to address China’s unfair trade practices … and defend our economic interests against unfair competition,” stated the letter signed by Democratic representatives Ron Kind and Suzan DelBene, and Republicans Darin LaHood and Jackie Walorski, among others.
But increased costs caused by the tariffs “are undermining the competitiveness of American manufacturing workers.”
The lawmakers said many industries have felt the impact of the tariffs, from manufacturing and agriculture to retail and energy.
Janet Yellen, the Treasury secretary, has previously criticised some of the tariffs.
‘Unfair’ Trade Practices
Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth $370 billion in 2018, citing “unfair” trade practices.
Many US companies have criticised the levies, saying they drive up costs, since importers bear the brunt of the impact – a growing concern as shortages of key products have caused US inflation to spike.
The two countries signed a so-called “Phase one” trade agreement in January 2020, in which Beijing pledged to increase its purchases of American products and services by at least $200 billion over 2020 and 2021.
But amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Beijing fell short of achieving those targets.
Asked about lifting the tariffs, Biden on Wednesday said “We’re not there yet,” since China has fallen short of the targets.
The legislators agreed “China must be held accountable for commitments it has made to the United States,” but noted that US firms “continue to struggle through the pandemic and supply chain disruptions” and current tariff exclusions are “too narrow.”
The price of US soybeans soared in Chicago on Thursday amid rumours of major Chinese purchases, launching speculation on possible lifting of customs duties.
According to US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Beijing is $13 billion behind in its agricultural purchase commitments.
- AFP with additional editing by George Russell
READ MORE:
China Slaps Tariffs on Key US Industrial Compound
Beijing to Scrap Tariffs for Poorest Nations – China Daily
US and Japan Plan Talks on Reducing Tariffs on Metals
