WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) today introduced the bipartisan Play by the Rules Act to crack down on unfair trade cheating from nonmarket economies like China.
“Fair trade rules and policies are needed to protect U.S. jobs and promote economic growth in our country,” said Senator Capito. “Unfortunately, there are non-market economies that do not abide by free market forces to set prices, which ultimately puts our country at a disadvantage. That’s why it’s important that we hold those countries accountable when this happens. Doing so will ensure we are putting American jobs and the American economy first. I’m glad to team up with Senator Baldwin once again in introducing this bipartisan legislation that will provide the Commerce Department the flexibility it needs to hold bad actors accountable and ensure that our trade policies are followed and respected.”
“China doesn’t play by the international trade rules they agreed to and they should be held accountable,” said Senator Baldwin. “This bipartisan legislation will give the Commerce Department the flexibility it needs to take stronger actions that protect American workers and businesses against China cheating.”
“Our trade enforcement laws protect American workers and American jobs. When a bad actor like China circumvents our trade laws, they must be held accountable. The Play by the Rules Act would crack down on unfair trade practices and make sure American workers are competing on a level playing field,” said Senator Stabenow.
“The United States can outcompete any country in the world if the rules are applied the same to both countries,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This has not been the case between The United States and China, and it has hurt the American worker. We can do better.”
Our anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duty laws are designed to stop trade partners from tipping the scales in their favor and forcing American workers to compete at a disadvantage. These laws allow U.S. customs officials to collect duties on foreign imported products that are sold below market value or produced with unfair government subsidies.
AD/CVD rules are widely used and mostly followed by WTO members. However, nonmarket economies—like China—are engaged in a sophisticated and government-backed effort to avoid paying the duties required by these rules at the expense of American workers and businesses.
The Play by the Rules Act provides the Commerce Department additional flexibility when reviewing anti-circumvention petitions filed against nonmarket economies like China. This flexibility will allow Commerce to better combat China’s attempts to cheat our workers and businesses.
The Play by the Rules Act is supported by the United Steelworkers (USW), the Decorative Hardwood Association, and the Committee to Protect U.S. Trade Laws.
More information about the Play by the Rules Act is available here.
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