Genesee News

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) submitted the following statement for the record at a markup of H.J.Res. 39, “Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to ‘Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord With Presidential Proclamation 10414,” commonly referred to as the Solar Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Congressman Kildee’s legislation is part of his effort to support Michigan and American workers and hold those accountable who violate U.S. trade laws. His bipartisan resolution of disapproval, supported by Democrats and Republicans, would roll back a Biden administration regulation that suspended tariffs on solar imports from Southeast Asian countries. This rule is in effect until mid-2024, despite the administration’s own investigation which found companies in these same countries—Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam—are helping Chinese solar manufacturers evade U.S. tariffs. Malaysia refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Under the CRA, Congress can repeal rules enacted by the executive branch if they were enacted within 60 legislative days of the end of the last legislative session.

Congressman Kildee’s absence from today’s hearing is due to a recent diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. The Congressman had surgery on Monday to remove a small cancerous tumor in his tonsil.

Congressman Kildee’s written statement for the record is as follows:

“Unfortunately, due to my recent diagnosis with squamous cell carcinoma, I am not able to be at the hearing today, but I want to provide a written statement on my resolution, H.J. Res 39.

“I am proud to have worked with President Biden and his administration on important new laws that are helping to bring back critical manufacturing and create good-paying American jobs. New laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act are helping to grow our economy and put Michiganders back to work. However, when it comes to this policy, I disagree with the president.

“Our trade laws, enacted by Congress, are meant to protect American manufacturers and American workers from the unfair trade practices. For too long, bad trade deals and unfair trade practices by other countries have hurt American workers. I believe that we need to enforce our current trade laws and strengthen our ability to fight unfair trade practices.

“In 2012, former President Obama applied tariffs to solar panel imports from China because Chinese companies were benefiting from unfair trade practices. These unfair trade practices are continuing today.

“When companies try to evade, or circumvent, our trade laws, they must be held accountable. The Biden administration has found in its own investigation that companies are evading U.S. tariffs on solar imports but has suspended enforcement action on this matter.

This is unacceptable for the workers I represent. By suspending tariffs on those who violate our trade laws, we are rewarding their bad behavior and penalizing companies that do follow the law.

“This should not be a partisan issue. We cannot allow foreign solar manufacturers to violate trade laws, especially when it comes at the expense of American workers and businesses. By suspending tariffs on those who violate our trade laws, we are undermining our own American manufacturers and workers.

“By suspending tariffs on those who violate our trade laws, we are making us more reliant, not less reliant, on China for our manufacturing and clean energy needs. The Chinese Communist Party has also been found by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to be responsible for ‘serious human rights violations’ for its treatment of Uyghurs, and China’s polysilicon and solar-component industry relies heavily on mining and manufacturing in Xinjiang. We must care about how products are made when they are sold in the U.S.

“Fair trade is important. And climate change is real, and addressing it is also important. But we cannot be short-sighted in our efforts as to rely on foreign companies and countries to meet our energy or climate goals, especially when they have been found in violation of U.S. trade laws. It is a false choice to suggest that we can either choose to combat climate change or protect American manufacturers or workers. We can do both.

“I ask my colleagues to vote yes on this bipartisan legislation.”

Original source can be found here.