“These tariffs leverage the power of the world’s largest market to create a level playing field for American farmers, producers, and workers.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released the following statement after President Trump announced new across the board and reciprocal tariffs following an America First trade policy review exposing the breadth of unfair tariffs and non-tariff barriers imposed by foreign nations on American made products: 

“For decades, American manufacturers and farmers have faced numerous unfair tariffs and other trade barriers in dozens of nations around the world that are designed to keep our products out of their markets. For too long U.S. policymakers have hoped that other countries would follow the lead of the United States with relatively low tariffs and other trade barriers, but instead the opposite has often happened. The result has been job losses for workers, the hollowing out of small-town America, and an increasing dependence on foreign countries for basic necessities. Washington politicians often talk about trade fairness while then also looking the other way as foreign nations undercut U.S. workers and farmers with unfair trade practices. President Trump recognizes that a new approach is needed and is sticking up for working families, farmers, and producers who have suffered years of mistreatment by other nations, both enemies and allies alike. I stand with President Trump in advancing serious trade policy updates to put America first. Principles of basic fairness demand that foreign companies should face tariffs similar to those American exporters encounter. Under President Trump’s leadership, I am confident the tariffs announced today will be reduced over time on many countries, as we enter into new and improved trade agreements that achieve true fairness for American producers. The reality is that many trading partners will not be cooperative in reducing their unfair trade barriers, and for that reason, the tariffs announced today will continue to generate significant revenue for the United States’s economy. 

“These tariffs leverage the power of the world’s largest market to create a level playing field for American farmers, producers, and workers. This strategy mirrors President Trump’s successful negotiating approach during his first term to persuade China to enter into the historic Phase One Agreement that required China to reverse many of its abusive trade practices while retaining U.S. leverage to address remaining unfairness in this trade relationship. Strong remaining tariffs continue to generate $40 billion in revenue each year on imports from China. I look forward to working with President Trump to implement an America First trade agenda.”