AFP Urges De-escalation of Trade War

Aug 3, 2018 by AFP

Arlington, VA – Americans for Prosperity warned against the harm of tariffs in a statement today following reports that China is planning more retaliatory tariffs on another $60 billion of U.S. goods. China’s retaliation comes on the heels of news that the White House is considering increasing tariffs on Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent.

Americans for Prosperity Spokesman Bill Riggs issued the following statement:

“As Washington and Beijing dig in to the mounting trade war, they leave job creators, consumers, and workers in their wake. This administration has played an integral role in jump-starting the economy, but doubling down on tariffs is an easy way to erase all that progress. If the goal is zero tariffs on all sides, let’s start working toward zero tariffs. This misguided protectionism has caused enough damage.”

The tit-for-tat tariff battle is already undermining the economic progress made by tax reform, with soybean farmers and blue jean manufacturers alike feeling the pain of more protectionism. To achieve President Trump’s stated goal of “zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsidies” the administration should focus on advancing a trade policy that will open markets for American businesses and consumers.

AFP’s Trade Principles:

Individuals, businesses, and countries should be free to engage in the voluntary exchange of goods and services, which improves lives by growing the economy, increasing pay checks, and creating new and better jobs.
Individuals and businesses in a competitive market, not government bureaucrats or politicians, should guide trade decisions.
Punitive measures such as tariffs and quotas harm most consumers, workers, and businesses and should be eliminated.
Subsidies and other forms of government supports for powerful and politically connected businesses and industries do not create value. They punish consumers, insulate businesses from market competition, and should be eliminated.
Trade disputes should be resolved through existing international trade agreements and organizations.
While national security interests may be a consideration in trade policy, they should be used to restrict trade only when there is truly a narrow national security interest at stake, not as a work around to impose tariffs.

Background:

AFP Cautions Against Doubling Down on Harmful Trade Policy (8/1/18)

Americans for Prosperity, Freedom Partners and the LIBRE Initiative Release Letter Urging President to Rejoin Trans-Pacific Partnership (7/30/18)

Americans for Prosperity and Freedom Partners Commend President Trump and EU for Working Toward ‘Zero Tariffs’ (7/25/2018)

For further information or to set up an interview, please send an email to GBraud@afphq.org.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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