March 25 2019 02:02 PM

Comes after Amb. Lighthizer failed to establish process through the USTR office, despite requests from Congress

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would require the Administration to create an exclusion process for current and future imports subject to Section 301 tariff impositions. Consistent with precedent and requirements placed on the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in the recent government funding bill, United States companies would also be able to apply for a refund for duties paid on imported goods subject to tariffs that are granted an exclusion.

Rep. Kind joined with Jackie Walorski (R-IN) in introducing the bill. Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Wisconsin companies deserve a process to petition our government to prove how and why these tariffs are hurting their bottom line, their workers, and their consumers. The Administration’s unwillingness to create this exemption process has forced Congress to reassert its Constitutionally granted powers, and move forward in finding a soft landing zone for our workers, farmers and families – with or without the help of the Administration,” said Rep. Ron Kind.

This bill would create an exemption for goods that:

  • Have no commercial access outside of China.
  • Would raise the cost of living for low- and middle-income families.
  • Do not directly benefit from China’s non-market-based policies.

As of this month, Wisconsin taxpayers have paid $194 Million in additional tariffs since the trade war began. Wisconsin farmers, businesses and manufacturers have faced $89 Million in retaliatory tariffs, according to Tariffs Hurt the Heartland.

In October, Rep. Kind called on United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to establish an exclusion process in regards to Section 301 tariffs. He was joined a bipartisan coalition of 168 Members of Congress.

Rep. Kind serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. The committee is the most powerful - and the oldest - committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over trade and tariff laws, as well as many other economic growth measures.