Tom Tiffany U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Tom Tiffany U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin introduced a resolution urging the United States to withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO). Congressman Tiffany believes that the WTO has consistently failed to support fair trade and has compromised American economic interests.
The congressman stated, "The WTO has repeatedly overlooked China’s unfair trade practices and human rights abuses, undermined American farmers and manufacturers, and eroded our national sovereignty." He emphasized the importance of American trade policies being determined by elected U.S. officials, rather than international bureaucrats. "It’s time to pursue a better approach to trade – one that puts American industry, jobs, and economic independence first," he said.
Congressman Tiffany also noted the lack of recent votes addressing membership with the WTO, saying, "It has been two decades since Congress last voted on whether to continue our membership in this deeply flawed organization. The American people deserve to know if their elected officials stand with them, or with China’s allies in the WTO."
Currently, the U.S. Trade Representative is obligated to submit a yearly report to Congress by March 1st, analyzing the impact of U.S. participation in the WTO. Congress then has the option to propose a resolution to withdraw every five years, if initiated by a member of Congress. While resolutions were debated in 2000 and 2005, no similar actions occurred in 2010 and 2015. In 2020, attempts were made by Rep. Peter DeFazio and Sen. Josh Hawley, but did not advance.
The Congressman cited China's entry into the WTO in 2001 as a key concern. He argued that China has performed intellectual property theft and flooded global markets with subsidized exports, while the WTO has not enforced fair trading rules.
Last month, the U.S. stopped payments to the WTO. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett highlighted the financial effects of WTO membership, stating that real incomes have dropped by around $1,200 since China's inclusion.
The resolution's full text is available for review.
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