Toomey to USTR: “Phase One” China Agreement Must Include Tariff Relief for PA Importers, Exporters

Allentown, Pa. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) is continuing his fight to help Pennsylvania workers, consumers, and job creators that have been hurt by the trade war with China.

Companies across Pennsylvania are seeking relief from tariffs imposed by the United States on goods and materials imported from China and from retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on American-made products. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer is expected to finalize soon a 'Phase One' agreement with Chinese officials that should lead to a reduction in tariffs on goods imported from China as well as lower tariffs on American exports. The details, and the degree to which tariffs are cut by both parties, are unknown.

To that end, Senator Toomey has written to USTR Lighthizer asking him to ensure that the 'Phase One' agreement leads to universal tariff reductions between the United States and China:

'As you know, the trade war with Beijing has come at the expense of significant harm to a number of my constituents, both as a result of U.S. tariffs on China and China's retaliatory tariffs on Pennsylvania products. That is why I was pleased to hear reports that the Phase One deal will include a critically important commitment from the U.S. to cut tariffs on many goods. As you finalize the agreement, I ask you to ensure the deal covers both section 301 and retaliatory tariff relief for Pennsylvania importers and exporters.'

Over the past 18 months, Senator Toomey has petitioned the office of the USTR to provide relief to companies across Pennsylvania that have been harmed by the trade war with China. These companies include but are not limited to: Air King America, LLC (West Chester), Almo Corporation (Philadelphia), American Textile (Duquesne), Arkema Inc. (Bristol, Birdsboro, Exton, King of Prussia, West Chester), Arrowhead Electrical Products, Inc. (East Greenville), Cali Bamboo (Mechanicsburg), Danieli USA Corporation (Cranberry Township), Electronic Fluorocarbons LLC (Hatfield), FMC Corporation (Philadelphia), General Electric (Allentown, Bradford, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre), Lasko Products LLC (West Chester), Lutron Electronics (Alburtis, Coopersburg), Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (Warrendale), Raymond Geddes & Co, Inc. (Mechanicsburg), Real Trading LLC (Jamison), Siemens Healthineers (Broomall, Malvern, Pittsburgh, Plymouth Meeting, Tredyffrin Township, Yardley), Touchstone Home Products (Exton), Vintage Tub & Bath (Mountain Top), Voith Hydro (York), Woodstream Corporation (Lititz), World Marketing of America (Mill Creek, Petersburg), and York Wallcoverings (York)

You may view Senator Toomey's entire letter to USTR Lighthizer below or here :

January 2, 2020

The Honorable Robert E. Lighthizer
United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20508

Dear Ambassador Lighthizer:

I write to thank you for your work on successfully negotiating a 'Phase One' trade deal with China. As you know, the trade war with Beijing has come at the expense of significant harm to a number of my constituents, both as a result of U.S. tariffs on China and China's retaliatory tariffs on Pennsylvania products. That is why I was pleased to hear reports that the Phase One deal will include a critically important commitment from the U.S. to cut tariffs on many goods. As you finalize the agreement, I ask you to ensure the deal covers both section 301 and retaliatory tariff relief for Pennsylvania importers and exporters.

During the past 18 months, numerous companies with a significant presence in Pennsylvania have contacted my office with concerns about the implemented and proposed section 301 tariffs. To date, I have reached out on behalf of numerous constituents, including but not limited to the following companies, to request that USTR grant their exclusions requests:

• Air King America, LLC (West Chester)
• Almo Corporation (Philadelphia)
• American Textile (Duquesne)
• Arkema Inc. (Bristol, Birdsboro, Exton, King of Prussia, West Chester)
• Arrowhead Electrical Products, Inc. (East Greenville)
• Cali Bamboo (Mechanicsburg)
• Danieli USA Corporation (Cranberry Township)
• Electronic Fluorocarbons LLC (Hatfield)
• FMC Corporation (Philadelphia)
• General Electric (Allentown, Bradford, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre)
• Lasko Products LLC (West Chester)
• Lutron Electronics (Alburtis, Coopersburg)
• Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (Warrendale)
• Raymond Geddes & Co, Inc. (Mechanicsburg)
• Real Trading LLC (Bucks County)
• Siemens Healthineers (Broomall, Malvern, Pittsburgh, Plymouth Meeting, Tredyffrin Township, Yardley)
• Touchstone Home Products (Exton)
• Vintage Tub & Bath (Mountain Top)
• Voith Hydro (York)
• Woodstream Corporation (Lititz)
• World Marketing of America (Mill Creek, Petersburg)
• York Wallcoverings (York)

I have also heard from many Pennsylvania exporters who have been adversely affected by China's retaliatory tariffs assessed on US exports. I ask you to ensure China commit to removing tariffs on products sold by Pennsylvania's manufacturers and agricultural goods.

If reports are accurate, you are to be commended if China has agreed to implement structural reforms in the areas of intellectual property, forced technology transfer, and access to the Chinese market for American financial firms. Although more work remains to be done, such progress will strengthen our economy and combat China's malevolent mercantilist behavior.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I thank you and the employees of USTR in advance for working to pursue trade policies that lower tariffs on consumers and help to make American businesses more globally competitive. I stand ready to assist on this matter in any way I can.

Sincerely,

Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator