Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after a ban on the duty-free entry of low-value Chinese goods under the de minimis privilege took effect, pursuant to President Trump’s April 2 executive order:

“For too long, the de minimis privilege has been abused by China as a backdoor to circumvent U.S. tariffs and too often avoid detection when shipments violate U.S. laws, including our ban on the importation of goods made with forced labor. The effect in recent years has been massive Chinese retailers undercutting American workers and small businesses. I applaud President Trump’s leadership in addressing this issue, building on legislation advanced by Ways and Means Republicans last year. With more than 70 percent of all de minimis shipments coming from China, this decision sends a powerful message: China’s free ride is officially over. Under his America First trade policy, President Trump is ensuring a level playing field and putting a stop to the predatory trade practices that have harmed too many American workers and small businesses.”

BACKGROUND:

• Last April, the Ways and Means Committee approved legislation sponsored by Representative Greg Murphy (NC-03) that would dramatically curb the flow of de minimis shipments from China into the U.S.
• The End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act, ends the de minimis privilege for any good subject to Section 301 tariffs – immediately eliminating the de minimis privilege for more than 60% of such entries from China, and future-proofs the law to prevent the use of de minimis to avoid U.S. trade enforcement actions.