Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official Website
Congressman John Moolenaar Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP | Official Website
Today, in Washington D.C., Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) introduced the Restoring Trade Fairness Act. This bipartisan bill aims to revoke China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR), following a recent executive order by President Trump. The order directs the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to evaluate legislative proposals concerning trade relations with China.
In 2000, Congress extended PNTR status to China as it prepared to join the World Trade Organization. The expectation was that this would lead China to adopt fair trading practices. However, critics argue that this move has harmed U.S. manufacturing and allowed for intellectual property theft by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Jim Banks (R-IN) have introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
Chairman Moolenaar stated, "The Restoring Trade Fairness Act is a critical step toward ending the unfair economic practices of the Chinese Communist Party that have hurt American workers and weakened our national security." He emphasized bipartisan support for resetting economic relations with China, noting alignment with President Trump's new Executive Order.
Congressman Suozzi highlighted issues such as forced labor in Xinjiang and intellectual property theft, stating, “This bipartisan bill makes the message clear — the Chinese Communist Party cannot receive preferential tariff treatment."
Senator Cotton added that revoking China's PNTR status will protect American jobs and enhance national security.
The Select Committee had already recommended revoking China's PNTR status in 2023. The Restoring Trade Fairness Act seeks to codify tariffs against CCP's economic strategies while providing assurances against potential retaliation from China.
A report from the United States International Trade Commission indicated that Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products encouraged supply chain diversification without significantly affecting inflation.
The bill proposes ending PNTR for China without annual Congressional recertification votes. It plans to introduce a new tariff structure phased over five years for strategic goods based on existing government lists.
Industry voices like Oren Cass from American Compass, CPA Chairman Zach Mottl, and AMMA Executive Director Eric Axel have expressed support for the bill, citing its potential benefits for U.S. industrial capacity and national security.
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