WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced a joint resolution calling for the United States to formally withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO), a deeply flawed globalist institution that has repeatedly failed to uphold fair trade and undermined American economic interests.
“The WTO has repeatedly overlooked China’s unfair trade practices and human rights abuses, undermined American farmers and manufacturers, and eroded our national sovereignty,” said Congressman Tiffany. “American trade policies should be made by American officials who are elected by American voters and accountable to American workers, not dictated by unelected international bureaucrats in Geneva. It’s time to pursue a better approach to trade – one that puts American industry, jobs, and economic independence first.”
“It has been two decades since Congress last voted on whether to continue our membership in this deeply flawed organization,” Congressman Tiffany added. “The American people deserve to know if their elected officials stand with them, or with China’s allies in the WTO.”
Background:
Under current law, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is required to submit an annual report to Congress by March 1st assessing the impact of U.S. participation in the WTO, including an analysis of the organization’s performance and value to American interests.
Following the release of that report, Congress is authorized to consider a joint resolution to withdraw the United States from the WTO. This opportunity occurs every five years, during a 90-day window, and can be initiated by any member of Congress. Congress previously debated similar resolutions in 2000 and 2005, in recognition of growing concerns about the WTO’s inability to enforce fair trade rules. No resolutions were introduced in 2010 and 2015. In 2020, withdrawal resolutions were introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), but neither were considered.
Since joining the WTO in 2001 after being granted Permanent Most Favored Nation trade status by the United States, Communist China has engaged in intellectual property theft and flooded global markets with heavily subsidized exports – all while the WTO looked the other way and allowed China to maintain trade barriers.
Just last month, the United States took the step of suspending payments to the WTO. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett underscored the economic consequences of WTO membership, stating, that since China entered the WTO, “Real incomes declined by about $1,200 cumulatively.”
The full text of Rep. Tiffany’s resolution can be found here.
