Sen Hawley To Introduce Hawkish China Bill Today

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) will introduce a bill today to revoke China’s normal trade relations status, apply higher tariffs on Chinese imports, and provide the president increased authority to apply unliteral tariffs.

• Hawley: “As we face a new age of competition with China, we need an agenda in Washington... We can start by revoking the sweetheart deal D.C. elites handed to China 23 years ago - end normal trade relations, put in place strong tariffs, and protect American workers.”
• The mood on Capitol Hill is currently ultra-hawkish on China but it is unclear if Hawley’s bill has enough support to pass.
• A resolution to establish a Select Committee on China passed the House (vote: 365-65) in January and a resolution condemning the Chinese "spy balloon" passed the House unanimously in February but the Senate is seen as more conservative on major foreign policy actions.
• The measures in Hawley's bill would be similar to those applied on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Politico notes: “U.S.-Russian trade is relatively small, totalling just about $36 billion in 2021. U.S.-China trade, on the other hand, totalled over $650 billion in the same year.”