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Washington – Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-Livonia) cosponsored a resolution which passed today urging China to fulfill its international trade agreements—a measure to level the playing field for the U.S. manufacturing industry. The resolution passed on the House floor as U.S. Commerce Secretary Commerce Evans completes an eight-day visit to China delivering a message of free and balanced trade.
“We are calling on China to honor the international trade agreements they have signed,” said McCotter. “It is time for them to match their given words with proven deeds.”
H.Res. 414, Encouraging the People’s Republic of China to Fulfill its Commitments Under International Trade Agreements, was introduced by U.S. Representative Phil English (R-PA). It commends the President and his Administration for continued efforts to engage the Government of the People’s Republic of China directly and encourages China to fulfill its commitments to the trade rules and principles of the international community as a member of the World Trade Organization.
The house-backed resolution urges the Administration to continue discussions to facilitate moves to promote innovation, reduce costs, and level the international playing field for the critical manufacturing sector of the economy.
McCotter is also a cosponsor of the Currency Harmonization Initiative Throughout Neutralizing Action (CHINA) Act of 2003. This bill would impose tariffs on Chinese imports if the Treasury Department finds illegal activity by directing the Treasury Secretary to analyze and report to congress whether China is manipulating its currency to gain a trade advantage. If the report finds China is manipulating its currency, the Secretary is required to levy tariffs equal to the percentage of manipulation.
China is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and an important expanding market for U. S. exports, but has not moved quickly enough to implement its international trade commitments fully and to remove a number of market access obstacles. Among these obstacles, manufacturers are particularly threatened by China’s currency manipulation, unfairly lowering the price of its exports.
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