U.S. Reps. Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) led their U.S. House Ways and Means Republican colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to work with Congress on devising a plan that addresses China’s global trade infractions.
“We write to emphasize the urgent need to consult closely with Congress to set a clear, action-oriented plan to confront China’s predatory trade practices and trade aggression throughout the world,” wrote House Ways and Means Ranking Member Brady, House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Smith, and their GOP colleagues in a letter sent last week to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai.
The members wrote that the Biden administration has failed to share a detailed analysis of China’s performance under the Economic and Trade Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. February marks the second anniversary of the entry into force of the Phase One Agreement, according to their letter.
As a result, the lack of analysis “leaves Congress with insufficient data to fulfill its constitutional mandate to regulate commerce with China,” the members wrote. “We hope you will expand detailed communication on these matters so that Congress and the administration can be partners in developing effective U.S. responses.”
In their letter, the lawmakers suggested three steps the USTR should take to solve the current problems: provide a detailed analysis of China’s performance of its obligations under the Phase One Agreement; develop an action plan to address China’s shortcomings under the Phase One Agreement; and lead an ambitious, forward-looking strategy to advance free and fair trade and combat unfair industrial policies and trade practices in China and throughout the Indo-Pacific.
And while the lawmakers support making short-term progress throughout the Indo-Pacific region on issues of mutual concern through dialogues and engagement on key issues like digital trade and improving the resiliency of supply chains, they also noted that such efforts alone are not a substitute for new trade agreements that are fully enforceable.
“It is beyond time to move beyond generalities and, in close partnership with Congress, take concrete action on all fronts,” they wrote.