Whitfield Votes to Level Playing Field for American Manufacturers

WASHINGTON – Working to protect American businesses and American jobs, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) supported critical legislation today which will force China to comply with fair trade laws by ensuring Chinese currency is properly valued.

“For too long, Chinese trade practices have undercut American manufacturers and the millions of jobs they support,” Whitfield said. “The legislation passed today will help ensure a level playing field for U.S. industries. During these tough economic times, it is more important than ever we make certain fair trade practices are in place, and followed, that protect American jobs.”

The House passed, and Whitfield supported, H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow the U.S. Department of Commerce to take action against currency undervaluation. Under this bill, when a foreign government deliberately undervalues its currency, the U.S. can respond by imposing countervailing duties, which are penalties to neutralize government-subsidized goods, and antidumping duties, which are penalties to neutralize goods being imported for less than it costs to make them domestically. Whitfield is also a co-sponsor of this legislation.

In recent years, China has been subsidizing its exports by significantly undervaluing its currency. As a result, Chinese manufactures have been able to unfairly price many goods at a cheaper cost than American manufacturers, which has hurt U.S. industries and cost millions of jobs. The legislation passed today will help safeguard American industries and ensure fair trade practices are followed.

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