Tillis urges broader tariff exclusion process to help American businesses

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) joined a bipartisan group of 40 senators who urged the Biden Administration to create a more comprehensive exclusion process for U.S. manufacturers and importers to request relief from tariffs placed on products from China.

The Biden Administration launched an exclusion process in October 2021 that was narrow in scope and limited to certain products. But the senators said they are concerned that the narrow nature of the exclusion process may prevent struggling businesses from receiving the relief they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a Feb. 7 letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Sen. Tillis and his colleagues called for the Administration to take a broader approach to establishing an exclusion process for imports from China subject to tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. 

“We believe that a comprehensive exclusion process that gives an opportunity for businesses affected by the tariffs to apply for limited, yet renewable, relief is a valuable component of our strategy to counter China’s unfair trade practices,” the lawmakers wrote.

“In addition to easing the tariffs’ negative impacts on U.S. businesses, it would also give those businesses additional time and resources to move supply chains out of China and return manufacturing to the United States.”

The letter said the current narrow exclusion process picks winners and losers among businesses. 

“We share your desire to combat China’s unfair trade practices, and we remain committed to providing you with the necessary resources to continue to be effective in that goal, including in the administration of an exclusion process,” the senators wrote.