Miller, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reassert Congressional Authority on Indo-Pacific Trade
Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act (USTLIPA) along with Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Don Beyer (D-VA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Ami Bera (D-CA). The U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act will reassert Congress’s authority over trade to combat China’s growing economic influence in the Indo-Pacific through renewed American efforts at re-engaging our allies and identifying opportunities for regional partnerships.
It is evident that the United States is falling behind in the Indo-Pacific region. China has engaged our allies to pursue active trade agendas that block the US from competing. The U.S. has not concluded a single comprehensive trade agreement with an Indo-Pacific partner in more than 10 years. Trade with our Indo-Pacific allies is critical as it supports millions of American jobs and represents several of our top export markets. A targeted U.S. International Trade Commission study will develop meaningful solutions to achieve U.S. objectives through a bipartisan Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission, which will deliver recommendations on options that Congress can take to compete in the region.
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"Now more than ever, it is imperative that the United States has strong trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific. The Biden Administration’s inaction on trade has left gaping holes that the Chinese Communist Party is more than happy to fill, and Congress must step up. The U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act is just the first of many necessary steps that the United States needs to take to remain leaders in global trade. The bipartisan Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission will deliver recommendations to Congress on options that it can take to compete in the region to achieve U.S. objectives and deliver measurable outcomes," said Congresswoman Carol Miller.
"The United States needs to step it up when it comes to its role in trade relations for the Indo-Pacific region. The bipartisan U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act would establish a dedicated independent trade commission tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy to promote U.S. innovation, exports, and economic opportunities while countering the Chinese Communist Party’s aggressive trade policies. This legislation would prompt America to work with our regional partners, strengthen our economies, and provide stewardship in an area of growing competition and immense opportunity," said Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
"Due to inaction by the current administration, we are losing ground in global markets for American producers. Considering the challenges to security in the Indo-Pacific and aggression by China, we cannot allow the United States to miss crucial opportunities to stand up for American workers, benefit consumers, and strengthen relationships with allies. This bill is an important step as Congress works to reassert its constitutional authority over trade matters, and I thank Rep. Miller and my other colleagues who have come together to introduce it," said Congressman Adrian Smith.
"It is hard to overstate the tremendous and growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the U.S. economy, either as a destination for American exports, a key link in critical supply chains, or as a source of foreign direct investment. It is crucial that the United States is at the table as the rules governing Indo-Pacific trade are being crafted. This legislation will provide us with the information we need and recommendations on how to best engage with our allies and partners to put the U.S. workers in a position to succeed in the years ahead," said Congressman Don Beyer.
"The United States must not relinquish its lead on trade in the Indo-Pacific as the Chinese Communist Party seeks to exert their influence economically and militarily in the region and around the globe. The bipartisan U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act reasserts the United States’ economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific and states unequivocally our interests there for the benefit of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, nationwide. I am proud to join this bipartisan group in introducing this legislation, which takes necessary steps in outlining a long-term economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific region," said Congressman Darin LaHood.
"As the epicenter of the 21st century global economy, the Indo-Pacific region is crucial for American prosperity and security. Given Beijing’s assertive efforts to shape the trade agenda in the region, it is vital that the United States reassert leadership to ensure the rules governing trade in the Indo-Pacific support American values. This bipartisan legislation underscores our commitment to fostering innovation, expanding exports, and safeguarding American interests in the Indo-Pacific region," said Congressman Ami Bera.
"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the United States Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act. By the end of this decade more than 60% of the world's middle class consumers will reside in the Indo-Pacific region, and American workers, farmers, and companies need better access to those growing markets. This bill provides a roadmap that will lead the United States back the negotiating table for new market-opening trade agreements to support jobs and growth here at home," said John Murphy, Senior Vice President and Head of International, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"Manufacturers thank Representative Carol Miller for her leadership on advancing trade in the Indo-Pacific region. Strengthening economic ties with the Indo-Pacific region is vital for manufacturers, as the region represents two-fifths of total U.S. manufacturing trade – nearly two-thirds of which is with markets outside of China. Our competitors are actively negotiating new agreements in the Indo-Pacific that exclude us, putting manufacturers at a disadvantage. One of the primary ways the U.S. can better assert global economic leadership is through the negotiation and implementation of strong trade agreements with our friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere. Trade deals play a key role in promoting U.S. economic leadership, deepening ties, opening markets for American-made goods and diversifying supply chains. By advancing an ambitious U.S. trade agreement agenda, we can ensure that the U.S., and not our competitors, writes the rules for the global economy and trading system," said Chris Netram, Managing Vice President for Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers.
"PhRMA strongly supports this legislation, appreciates the leadership of its sponsors, and agrees that the United States must pursue an ambitious trade agreement with our Indo-Pacific partners. The IPEF is unambitious and disappointing. More meaningful commercial engagement in the region requires strong market access, intellectual property, and other pro-innovation policies," said Douglas Petersen, Deputy Vice President, International, PhRMA.
"The National Foreign Trade Council applauds the introduction today of the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act and congratulates its bipartisan cosponsors. This legislation reflects strong, bipartisan support for consistent, durable, and aggressive U.S. leadership that builds confidence with our allies in the region. Congress has an important role to play in signaling that the United States is committed for the long-term and will work to promote our economic security by deepening economic integration across the Indo-Pacific, creating new commercial opportunities for our companies, farmers, and workers. We hope the actions proposed by this legislation will help to inform policymakers about the risks to U.S. security and economic interests of inaction - or insufficient action - and spark more aggressive leadership that can deliver meaningful results for American businesses and workers," said Tiffany Smith, Vice President for Global Trade Policy, National Foreign Trade Council.
"The U.S. must reestablish leadership on the global trade front and NRF applauds Representatives Carol Miller, R-W.V., Ami Bera, D-Ca., Adrian Smith, R-Neb., Don Beyer, D-Va., Darin LaHood, R-Ill., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., for introducing the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act. This important bill will not only help identify the current gaps in our trade policy toward the region, but also find opportunities to re-engage and help U.S. companies, including retailers, compete globally. The retail industry overwhelmingly supports a more comprehensive and economic strategy to ensure further certainty and resiliency in the supply chain," said David French, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, National Retail Federation.
"Increasing our trade and investment ties within the Indo-Pacific region would not only benefit U.S. workers, it would greatly improve America's strategic interests. By working with like-minded nations, the United States can increase prosperity at home and abroad, and I applaud Reps. Miller, Panetta, Smith, Beyer, LaHood, and Bera for prioritizing this critical issue," said Nancy Mclernon, Global Business Alliance.
"Leading retailers welcome today’s introduction of the United States Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act, which will help chart a path towards meaningful U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and create vital market access opportunities that American businesses need to create more diversified and resilient supply chains. This bill sends an important signal that the U.S. must engage proactively with trading partners in the region or risk falling behind – disadvantaging American businesses, workers, and consumers. RILA and our members thank Rep. Carol Miller for her leadership on this bill, as well as Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith and Reps. Darin LaHood, Ami Bera, Don Beyer, and Jimmy Panetta for joining in the introduction of this important legislation that will help American businesses compete globally," said Blake Harden, Vice President of International Trade, Retail Industry Leaders Association.
"AAFA fully supports re-engaging with our allies in the Indo-Pacific on trade. The U.S. is left out of key markets because we are not negotiating meaningful and comprehensive trade agreements in the region, specifically with Vietnam. Many thanks to Rep. Carol Miller for her leadership in introducing this important measure and ensuring we can advance U.S. trade priorities in the Indo-Pacific region," said Stephen Lamar, President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association.
"America's most recognizable food, beverage, household and personal care manufacturers applaud the introduction of the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act and Congressional efforts that will strengthen supply chains and connectivity with key global markets in the region. As the largest domestic manufacturing sector, the CPG industry is bullish on harnessing the potential of Congressionally supported trade efforts to promote U.S. competitiveness, grow the economy and support American manufacturing jobs," said David Chavern, President and CEO, Consumer Brands Association.
"The US-ASEAN Business Council, which represents 175 American companies doing business in Southeast Asia, with over $7 trillion in combined revenue, welcomes Rep. Miller's legislative leadership in reinvigorating the competitiveness of US trade policy in Asia. While US trade growth with Southeast Asia is strong, reaching over $500 billion last year and supporting over half a million jobs across the nation, all of America's trade competitors already have — or are negotiating — preferential market access trade agreements for their businesses with Southeast Asia, a region forecasted to be 4th largest economy in the world by 2030," said Amb. (ret) Ted Osius, President and CEO, US-ASEAN Business Council.
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