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S.817 - The Stabenow-Graham Chief Trade Prosecutor Bill

Trade Violations Cost Michigan Jobs

Failure to enforce our trade agreements has cost the United States millions of jobs over the past 15 years in nearly every area of our economy, including auto manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, and furniture – more than 51,000 of these jobs in the State of Michigan were lost because of China alone.

For instance, counterfeit automotive products are a big problem in Michigan and it is estimated that they cost the auto industry $12 billion in lost sales and 200,000 fewer jobs.  Stricter enforcement of our trade laws would put an end to this illegal practice.  Also, ending currency manipulation by Japan and China would save thousands of jobs and give our farmers and manufacturers a level playing field to compete fairly in today’s global marketplace.

Additional anti-competitive actions by China’s government include illegal direct government subsidies, illegal export tax rebates, lack of enforcement against counterfeit goods and the deliberate extension of billions of dollars in subsidized loans.  Despite China’s repeated and widespread violations of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, our government has failed to file any complaints with the WTO to stop these violations.

Chief Trade Prosecutor to Stand up for American Manufacturers and Farmers

S. 817 is a bi-partisan bill that creates a Chief Trade Prosecutor within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.  The Trade Prosecutor would be given the authority to investigate illegal trade practices and recommend the prosecution of cases before the WTO.  The Prosecutor would be able to stand up to our trading partners and make sure they are playing by the rules to protect manufacturers and farmers against unfair trade practices.

Trade Violations lead to Record Trade Deficit

The merchandise trade deficit for the United States reached a record level of $666.2 billion in 2004, a 21.7% increase since 2003.  The trade deficit with China is now the largest the United States has with any country in the world.  China exports five products to the United States for every one product we ship to them, and half of our foreign debt is owned by China and Japan.