Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) spoke at the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade hearing focused on American trade enforcement priorities. During the hearing, Rep. LaHood, who serves as co-chair of the Digital Trade Caucus, questioned Jonathan McHale, Vice President of the Computer and Communications Industry, on the importance of the United States returning to global leadership on digital trade policy, the growing spread of restrictive and discriminatory digital trade laws allowed by the Biden administration, and the ongoing threat of the Chinese Communist Party.
“During President Trump’s first term in office, the United States made great strides in establishing ourselves as a driving force on digital trade, shaping market conditions and ensuring equitable competition,” said Rep. LaHood. “We now understand that digital trade is not a niche segment of our economy—it is a fundamental pillar of economic strength and global influence…Our leadership in setting fair and effective rules for digital trade went the wrong direction, in my view, over the last four years under the Biden administration. When it came to enforcement, we allowed the Communist Chinese Party to expand its global economic presence and promote digital trade policies that starkly contrast to our American values.”
LaHood Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to Protect American Innovators and Workers
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order to combat Canada and European countries from imposing discriminatory taxes, like a digital service tax (DST), and other targeted digital trade policies that harm American innovators and workers.
During his first administration, President Trump initiated Section 301 investigations against DSTs and negotiated platinum-standard rules for digital trade with Japan and separately through USMCA.
“For far too long, foreign countries have targeted U.S. innovation and intellectual property,” said Rep. LaHood. “Our digital and economic dominance is powered by cutting-edge American technology and the workers that drive it. I commend President Trump for signing this executive order to directly address the imposition of digital service taxes and defend American innovation, businesses, and workers.”
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