Republicans in the US Congress introduced legislation on Thursday to repeal China’s preferential trade status that it has held for over two decades, garnering a Democratic co-sponsor for the first time.
Crucially, the bill would not allow for an annual congressional vote to recertify the PNTR status, though it would provide tariff revenue for US farmers and manufacturers hurt by potential retaliation from Beijing.
“For too long, permanent normal trade relations with China have undermined our manufacturing base, shifted American jobs abroad, and allowed the CCP to exploit our markets while betraying the promise of fair competition,” said Representative John Moolenaar, the Michigan Republican who chairs the House select committee on China and is a sponsor of the House bill.
The House bill was co-sponsored by Representative Tom Suozzi, a Democrat of New York. The Senate companion bill was introduced by Republicans Jim Banks of Indiana and Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
