The Right Way to Tariff Chinese Goods.
First, Congress should vote on repealing PNTR (permanent normal trade relations), granted by Congress in 2000.
Once they do that, require a presidential declaration that China meets the conditions for getting MFN (most favored nation status).
From 1980 – 1999, China was granted Most Favored Nation status through presidential proclamation on an annual basis because the Trade Act of 1974 stated that “MFN status may not be conferred on a country with a nonmarket economy if that country maintains restrictive emigration policies” China was, and still is, a nonmarket economy and restricted emigration, but the Act allowed the president to “waive this prohibition on an annual basis if he certified that granting MFN status would promote freedom of emigration in that country.”
Russia lost MFN when it invaded Ukraine. Cuba hasn't had it for six decades.
Isn't it time to put human rights back into U.S. foreign policy with respect to China? Make THAT a moral issue for putting high tariffs back on China, while at the same time encouraging disinvestent by companies to more favorable markets, such as Mexico and the rest of Central and South America (which would have the added benefit of reducing undocumented immigrants coming to the U.S. for jobs).
Once they do that, require a presidential declaration that China meets the conditions for getting MFN (most favored nation status).
From 1980 – 1999, China was granted Most Favored Nation status through presidential proclamation on an annual basis because the Trade Act of 1974 stated that “MFN status may not be conferred on a country with a nonmarket economy if that country maintains restrictive emigration policies” China was, and still is, a nonmarket economy and restricted emigration, but the Act allowed the president to “waive this prohibition on an annual basis if he certified that granting MFN status would promote freedom of emigration in that country.”
Russia lost MFN when it invaded Ukraine. Cuba hasn't had it for six decades.
Isn't it time to put human rights back into U.S. foreign policy with respect to China? Make THAT a moral issue for putting high tariffs back on China, while at the same time encouraging disinvestent by companies to more favorable markets, such as Mexico and the rest of Central and South America (which would have the added benefit of reducing undocumented immigrants coming to the U.S. for jobs).
36-40, FVIP
