Trump Says There's 'No Reason' to Lift Tariffs on China
President Donald Trump, asked about a letter from businesses and trade groups sent earlier on March 18 that said he should lift sections 232 and 301 tariffs, said he couldn't imagine why Americans would want that. “China is paying us billions and billions of dollars in tariffs and there’s no reason to do that,” reporters quoted him as saying at a press conference. "It could be that China will ask for a suspension or something. We’ll see what happens. China is having a very rough time.”
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Later that day, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and Rep. Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., asked House and Senate leaders to include a cessation of tariffs in a coronavirus economic response bill. They suggested that the lifting of tariffs should be contingent on other countries agreeing to lift retaliatory tariffs.
"Today, 161 trade associations representing businesses in every sector urged the President to temporarily suspend these tariffs. If the administration does not respond to this appeal, we respectfully ask you to include a provision in the coronavirus economic support and stimulus package that (1) suspends -- or at least meaningfully reduces -- existing 301 and 232 tariffs until the emergency is over, (2) prohibits the imposition of additional 301 or 232 tariffs during the emergency, and (3) directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund 301 and 232 tariffs that U.S. businesses have paid to date. Congress delegated to the executive branch the authority to impose tariffs under 301 and 232, and Congress can curtail or circumscribe that authority where appropriate. We believe the current emergency warrants resolute congressional action if the requested administrative action is not forthcoming."