U.S. Lawmakers Propose Tariff Increases on China

U.S. Representative John Moolenaar has introduced a bill to revoke China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status, a policy in place for over two decades, aiming to decouple the U.S. and Chinese economies. The proposed legislation would set minimum tariffs of 35% on Chinese imports, with the potential to increase up to 100%, and grant the president authority to phase in these changes over five years. Moolenaar criticized the current trade relations as detrimental, asserting that they have undermined U.S. manufacturing and allowed the Chinese Communist Party to exploit American markets. The bill aligns with similar proposals from Republican Senators Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio, and Josh Hawley, reflecting bipartisan concerns over China's trade practices. If passed, the legislation would also eliminate the de minimis exemption for low-cost shipments from China and create a new tariff column specifically for Chinese goods. While the bill is unlikely to pass in the current Congress, it sets the stage for future trade discussions.