WASHINGTON, DC – Without any notice to the American public, the Biden Administration announced today they have entered into a critical minerals agreement with Japan that would send tax dollars to foreign corporations that produce electric vehicles (EVs) and open the door to future payouts to other countries.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement:

“The Biden Administration is clearly happy to hand out U.S. taxpayer dollars to foreign nations and risk American jobs solely to advance its radical ‘green’ energy agenda. This so-called ‘free trade agreement’ with Japan does nothing to shift critical mineral supply chains away from China. Equally shameful is the fact that the Biden Administration is distorting the plain text of U.S. law to write as many green corporate welfare checks as possible. The Administration has not been transparent with the American people and has ignored major concerns raised by Congress, including failing to provide an analysis of the effects this agreement would have on American workers. Rather than rushing to complete legally dubious agreements at the behest of lobbying campaigns by foreign governments, the Biden Administration should work with Congress to develop meaningful trade policies that improve the lives and livelihoods of America’s working families.”