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Op-ed: The US must act now on trade and
economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific and China
[The Center Square] U.S.
Representatives Darin LaHood
Washington, D.C. – U.S.
Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Carol Miller (R-WV), members of
the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, authored an op-ed for
The Hill highlighting the importance of their legislation, the U.S.
Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific and China Act. |
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 In the op-ed, the members write:
"U.S. economic challenges and trade silence mean one thing to China:
opportunity. Over the past year, China has maneuvered to establish itself as a
superior trade and economic leader on the global stage and most importantly, in
the Indo-Pacific region. Comprised of many nations and partners, the
Indo-Pacific is home to dynamic economies, crucial supply chains, and critical
manufacturing and defense hubs. It represents one of the fastest growing regions
in the world.
"Our bill instructs President Biden to assert U.S. trade leadership in the
Indo-Pacific, as this will strengthen American competitiveness, putting our
workers and businesses in the best position to compete globally and protect
global trade norms and standards abroad. The bill establishes congressional
intent and support for new or updated trade programs and authorities, as well as
consideration of updating and modernizing the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Our bill also ensures Congress
has robust and necessary access to information on the progress of the
administration’s trade and economic negotiations in the Indo-Pacific. Most
importantly, it requires American trade leaders to develop a comprehensive,
responsible, and long-term trade and economic plan on China, including any
further Phase One implementation efforts or consideration for a Phase Two
agreement."
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"With a new administration, and new realities
presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolving power competition
between the United States and China commands swift and decisive
American leadership. The Indo-Pacific region will be the primary
stage of this economic competition, and it is vital that the Biden
administration wake up to this reality and move swiftly to seize
this integral moment. With our legislation as a framework, we must
solidify U.S. trade and economic superiority in the Indo-Pacific.
The time is now to restart and ensure America’s lasting trade
leadership, and our bill is the first step."
Reps. LaHood and Miller's legislation would provide a blueprint for
Congress and the Administration to advance U.S. trade leadership in
the Indo-Pacific region to counter China through the encouragement
of swift passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and directing
the Administration to make efforts to lead and modernize key trade
agreements in the region. The bill also directs the Office of the
United States Trade Representative (USTR) to articulate a long-term
trade plan to address China as the initial Phase One Agreement comes
to a close.
Congressman LaHood is a member of
both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence. He also is the co-chair of the
bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group and serves on the Republican
China Task Force. |
