U.S. manufacturers would be permitted to sue foreign producers for customs fraud under legislation sponsored on April 18 by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL).
“This is America First legislation that puts foreign fraudsters on notice that there will be serious consequences for breaking our trade laws and hurting American workers,” said Rep. Bost on Tuesday.
Specifically, the Fighting Trade Cheats Act, H.R. 2667, would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase civil penalties for and improve enforcement regarding customs fraud, according to the congressional record bill summary. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) signed on as the lead original cosponsor of H.R. 2667.
“The Chinese Communist Party has a long history of violating our trade agreements and stealing our jobs,” Rep. Bost said. “We are sharpening the teeth of America’s trade remedy laws and ensuring our manufacturers have the tools to fight back directly against trade cheats.”
If enacted, H.R. 2667 would update America’s existing trade laws and the penalties in place for violating them by more than doubling the penalties currently in place, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bost’s office. The measure also includes a new five-year prohibition on importing products from known violators.
McWane Inc., whose Manchester Tank subsidiary includes a company with a facility producing propane tanks and cylinders, endorsed H.R. 2667, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.