Washington urged to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods

WASHINGTON－Two dozen business associations in the United States have urged the administration of US President Joe Biden to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods to provide relief to US citizens amid rising inflation.

"Tariffs put in place over the last several years continue to disproportionately cause economic harm to US businesses, farmers, workers and families," wrote the US-China Business Council and other business associations in a joint letter to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday.

US importers have paid more than $110 billion for the so-called Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, of which about $40 billion has been assessed during the Biden administration.

"These costs, compounded by other inflationary pressures, impose a significant burden on American businesses, farmers and families trying to recover from the effects of the pandemic," the letter stated.

"We agree with Secretary Yellen's recent comments that tariffs tend to increase domestic prices and raise costs to consumers and businesses due to higher cost inputs and that lowering US and Chinese tariffs could help ease inflation," stated the letter, with the group urging the Biden administration to work toward the removal of Section 301 tariffs.

"We also request immediate action to significantly broaden the tariff exclusion process to provide additional relief to Americans."

Some of the other 24 business associations that signed the letter include the US Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the National Retail Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation and the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Americans for Free Trade, a coalition of more than 150 industry associations fighting against tariffs, has also recently urged the Biden administration to remove tariffs on Chinese imports amid continued concerns over inflation.

"As our nation continues to face concerns over rising prices and supply chain obstacles, it is time for Ambassador Tai and other members of the Biden administration to recognize that leaving the previous administration's failed trade policies in place will only make the problem worse," said Jonathan Gold, Americans for Free Trade's spokesperson, in a statement earlier this month.

"For the sake of Americans everywhere, it is time to bring the trade war with China to an end."

Xinhua