Washington, DC - Today, Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and 137 of their colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai expressing their strong support for establishing a comprehensive and fair exclusion process that would allow U.S. producers, manufacturers, and importers to request relief from Section 301 tariffs on imports from China.

At a time when many industries across our nation are coping with COVID-19 related challenges and struggling to adjust their supply chains while remaining competitive, expanding the exclusion process would help provide critical support to American workers, businesses, and our economic recovery. The lawmakers also emphasized the importance of holding China accountable for commitments it has made to the United States and for its state-centered and nonmarket trade policies.

"Many of these tariffs are continuing to harm Wisconsin businesses, especially our small and medium sized enterprises, and putting additional economic stress on families by driving up the price of many products," said Rep. Ron Kind. "That's why today I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in urging USTR to expand its exclusion process as quickly as possible to provide badly needed relief for workers, businesses, and families across the state."

"Addressing China's unfair trade practices and holding them accountable while encouraging businesses to manufacture and operate in the United States is critical to our long-term economic competitiveness. A commonsense and clear exemption process to Section 301 tariffs can help safeguard American-made products while eliminating supply chain bottlenecks and supporting key American industries. Encouraging a consistent and transparent 301 exclusions process will ensure that no American business faces unintentional harm from 301 tariffs as we work to address ongoing economic challenges from China," said Rep. Darin LaHood.

"To help tackle supply chain issues impacting American businesses and workers, we are urging USTR to establish a comprehensive and transparent exclusion process for Section 301 tariffs that will give U.S. companies of all shapes and sizes a fair shot at meaningful tariff relief," said Rep. Suzan DelBene. "Our economic recovery must include a pro-growth trade policy that will uplift American workers and support our global competitiveness."

"As America counters the Chinese government's unfair trade practices, it's essential that we defend American workers, manufacturers, farmers, and consumers. A robust and transparent Section 301 exclusion process delivers vital relief to hardworking Hoosiers and Americans across the country, and expanding the current process would empower Americans to succeed today and in the years ahead," said Rep. Jackie Walorski. "I'm proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to support our workers and businesses, and I will continue to push for policies that level the playing field and equip Americans to compete in the global market."

Rep. Kind serves on the Ways and Means Committee, the oldest - and the most powerful - committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over tax measures, the management of public debt, trade and tariff laws, Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and many other economic growth measures.

Read the bipartisan letter here.