Washington, D.C. – House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement after the Ways & Means Committee met on a bipartisan basis with United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to discuss recent trade developments:

“We had a good dialogue with Ambassador Lighthizer about the Administration’s recent trade actions. My message remains the same: Our trade practices need to hit the right target, which is China and its unfair trade practices, not our allies, and certainly not Americans. But the Administration’s recent actions don’t achieve that goal. I continue to urge the Administration to extend tariff exemptions to Canada, Mexico, the EU, and other important partners while fixing the broken product exclusion process needed by our manufacturers and workers to remain competitive.

“I also asked the Administration to stay at the table to continue negotiating with Canada and Mexico for a strong and modern NAFTA with binding dispute settlement, including ISDS, and without the uncertainty created by an automatic sunset.  

“As always, I am committed to working with President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer to improve our trade relationships, look out for American companies and workers, and move our economy forward.”