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Ross, speaking to
reporters after the speech, said that Trump was merely pointing
out an export tax inequity between the United States and many
other countries, not specifying how it should be remedied.
Trump said he was asking for a change in the way U.S. imports
are taxed, saying that other countries "make us pay very high
tariffs and taxes," but the United States charges "nothing or
almost nothing" on imports.
Trump referred to tariffs of 100 percent by some countries on
U.S.-made Harley-Davidson Inc <HOG.N> motorcycles, saying that
the company was used to being "mistreated" in foreign markets.
"They weren't even asking for a change, but I am," Trump told
the joint session of Congress.
Asked if Trump's remarks on the topic effectively endorsed a
plan by House of Representatives Republicans to levy a border
tax of about 20 percent on imports into the United States, Ross
said, "No, he did not."
"What he addressed was the issue that needs to be solved, which
is there's inequitable treatment of the U.S. Other countries
have a value-added tax which they rebate on exports," Ross said.
He said the World Trade Organization has turned down past U.S.
requests to allow American companies to deduct income taxes paid
on exports.
The proposed border tax is under attack from import-heavy
businesses but is supported by large exporters, such as
manufacturers.
"Border advisability, other programs are possible ways of
solving that. But I didn't hear him coming out clearly in favor
of any one system," said Ross, who was sworn in earlier on
Tuesday.
Trump has not clearly endorse or opposed the border tax
proposal, although he spoke favorably of it in a Reuters
interview. He has also called the proposal "too complicated."
Asked if WTO compliance was a crucial factor in the solution,
Ross, a billionaire investor and corporate turnaround expert,
said that the first negotiation over export tax would be with
Congress.
(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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