U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act offered by Miller, Smith, LaHood

U.S. Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV), Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Darin LaHood (R-IL) recently proposed a bipartisan bill that aims to fight China’s growing economic influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Rep. Miller sponsored the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act (USTLIPA), H.R. 7962, with five original cosponsors, including Rep. Smith, Rep. LaHood, and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), to advance America’s long-term trade competitiveness and economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the text of the bill.

“Now more than ever, it is imperative that the United States has strong trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific,” Rep. Miller said. “The Biden administration’s inaction on trade has left gaping holes that the Chinese Communist Party is more than happy to fill, and Congress must step up.”

The congresswoman added that H.R. 7962 is just the first of many necessary steps that the United States needs to take to remain leaders in global trade. For instance, H.R. 7962 would establish an independent commission to be known as the Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission, which would develop findings and recommendations for a comprehensive trade strategy for the Indo-Pacific region, the text says.

“The bipartisan Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission will deliver recommendations to Congress on options that it can take to compete in the region to achieve U.S. objectives and deliver measurable outcomes,” said Rep. Miller.

Rep. Smith pointed out that due to inaction by the Biden administration, American producers are losing ground in global markets.

“Considering the challenges to security in the Indo-Pacific and aggression by China, we cannot allow the United States to miss crucial opportunities to stand up for American workers, benefit consumers, and strengthen relationships with allies,” said Rep. Smith. “This bill is an important step as Congress works to reassert its constitutional authority over trade matters, and I thank Rep. Miller and my other colleagues who have come together to introduce it.”

Rep. LaHood said that the U.S. cannot relinquish its lead on trade in the Indo-Pacific as the Chinese Communist Party seeks to exert its influence economically and militarily.

H.R. 7962, he said, would reassert the economic leadership of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region and reiterate the nation’s interests there for the benefit of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises.

“I am proud to join this bipartisan group in introducing this legislation, which takes necessary steps in outlining a long-term economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific region,” added Rep. LaHood.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the National Foreign Trade Council, the National Retail Federation, the Global Business Alliance, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the Consumer Brands Association, and the US-ASEAN Business Council support the measure.