Speaking in support of strengthening economic partnerships with nations in the Caribbean region and ensuring the United States leads in countering China’s predatory trade practices in the Western Hemisphere, top Republican on the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) pushed to go further in negotiating new trade agreements and reasserting America’s leadership in trade.

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Rep. Smith’s full remarks as prepared for delivery appear below.

I rise today in support of H. Res. 1168.

 

Thank you to Dr. Wenstrup and Representative Plaskett for their work on this bipartisan resolution.

 

This measure affirms the importance of U.S. economic partnerships in the Western Hemisphere and, more specifically, with nations in the Caribbean region.

 

Over the last two decades, economic partnerships and trade programs have created job opportunities for Caribbean workers and innovators, provided incentives for nations to strengthen the rule of law, and provided new market opportunities for American businesses.

 

While this resolution highlights the importance of existing trade programs in the region, it also encourages further enhancements to these trade programs.

 

I have said it before and I will say it again – if we are not proactive in engaging with our trading partners in the region and around the world–  others who do not share our values, our respect for economic freedom and the rule of law, or our interest in regional stability and growth – will.

 

By engaging and fostering trade with our Caribbean neighbors, we will strengthen and make the Western Hemisphere more competitive as a region as China tries to seize even more of the global market share.

 

I look forward to working with the sponsors to use trade as a key tool in strengthening the region.

 

I yield back.

Key Background:

Bipartisanship is Vital in Renewing Trade Programs, Establishing New Trade Agreements, and Competing Against China

• President Biden’s trade moratorium has worsened both inflation and broken supply chains. The White House has failed to pursue an ambitious trade agenda that opens up new markets and enforces existing trade agreements.
• Trade remains an area of bipartisan agreement, which is why it’s crucial Congress renew GSP and MTB—two pro-jobs trade programs.
• While USMCA leveled the playing field for American workers to compete against China, more must be done.
• The Biden Administration needs to end its trade moratorium and begin to lead on trade by pursuing strategic trade agreements that strengthen reliable supply-chains and open new customers for Made-in-America products and services.