Shaheen Statement on U.S. and People’s Republic of China’s Tariff Reversal

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Small Business Committees, released the following statement on the United States’ and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) agreement to temporarily roll back tariffs: 

“For years, I’ve expressed the need to take strategic and targeted action to counter the People’s Republic of China’s unfair economic practices to safeguard American industries that are key to our national security and economic prosperity. Given the interconnectedness of global supply chains, this only works if we create a unified front with our allies and partners. On both counts, President Trump has done the exact opposite, with only economic damage and uncertainty to show for returning to square one. 

“Across the board tariffs on allies and adversaries alike have driven up prices for American families and created uncertainty for domestic manufacturers and small business owners. And instead of taking a targeted approach against unfair PRC economic practices, President Trump imposed blanket tariffs that his own Treasury Secretary said were ‘unsustainable’ and then immediately folded to the PRC with little to show for it. 

“While the administration sows chaos, confusion and calamity, let’s not forget that this whiplash hits everyday families and businesses the hardest. Granite Staters can trust that I’ll continue calling attention to the devastating impacts of President Trump’s policies and pushing back against the damages they cause for our state and country. I’m urging my colleagues to come together to pass my Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act to prevent the President from raising and lowering tariffs on a whim, giving businesses certainty and keeping families’ costs lower.” 

Senator Shaheen is helping lead efforts in Congress to mitigate the harmful impacts of President Trump's tariffs. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth last month, Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. Shaheen also took to the Senate floor to highlight the devastating impacts that President Trump’s tariffs and trade war will have on American families and the economy. In January, Shaheen introduced the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act which would limit the president’s ability to leverage sweeping tariffs that increase costs for American consumers and families. Her effort to pass this bill by unanimous consent was blocked by Senate Republicans. In recent months, Shaheen has traveled across the Granite State to visit businesses including Chatila’s Bakery, C&J, DCI Furniture, Mount Cabot Maple, American Calan Inc. and NH Ball Bearings to hear directly from Granite Staters impacted by the administration’s tariffs.      

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