Washington, D.C. – At the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on President Biden's trade agenda, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) pressed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on the need to address the Administration's lack of leadership on digital trade policy and Brazil's discriminatory tariffs on American ethanol, which continue to harm Illinois farmers and producers.
On both digital trade policy and the Brazil ethanol tariff issue, Rep. LaHood has led letters to the Administration pushing them to exert American leadership in the global economy.
LaHood’s questioning can be viewed here or below:
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In remarks on the Administration’s digital trade position, Rep. LaHood stated:
“I am the Co-Chair with Congresswoman DelBene of the Digital Trade Caucus. Many of us on this side of the aisle are exceedingly frustrated with the Administration’s inability to promote a coherent trade agenda.
When we think about digital trade, obviously there is growing concern about the Chinese Communist Party’s global economic influence, and their promotion of digital trade policies that run counter to American ideals.
These Chinese policies promote censorship and surveillance, encourage human rights abuses, and force unwanted technology transfers through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road.
Rather than providing a free-market alternative to the CCP’s digital governance model, this Administration sends mixed messages on the global stage by walking back long-held, bipartisan digital trade proposals outlined at the World Trade Organization without clearly articulating a policy path forward.
Last November, Congresswoman DelBene and I co-led a bipartisan letter along with 36 House colleagues to you underscoring how your decision threatens America’s leadership and ultimately harms American businesses and workers. This decision, as we mentioned, was made without any sufficient congressional input."
LaHood went on to question USTR’s actions on the discriminatory tariffs Brazil has placed on American ethanol, saying:
“I want to highlight a Bloomberg article that came out last week titled, 'Brazil Rebuffs U.S. Pressure to Abandon Tariffs on Ethanol Imports.'
Can you comment on the current negotiations with Brazil? It is immensely frustrating for our ethanol producers in this country. What actions are the Administration going to take?"
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