Central Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Representative Tom Tiffany has called for the United States to withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming that the organization has "empowered Communist China" and harmed U.S. industry. He urged a withdrawal to "prioritize American jobs" and "protect our sovereignty." Tiffany made these remarks in an April 11 post on X.

"Since 2001, the World Trade Organization has EMPOWERED Communist China and DEVASTATED American industry," said Rep. Tom Tiffany. "Prioritize American jobs. Protect our sovereignty. Withdraw from the WTO."

According to a press release, Tiffany introduced a joint resolution advocating for the United States' withdrawal from the WTO. Under U.S. law, the Trade Representative must submit a yearly report on the WTO’s impact, providing Congress with an opportunity every five years to introduce a withdrawal resolution. Similar resolutions were debated in 2000 and 2005, but none were introduced in 2010 or 2015. In 2020, Representative Peter DeFazio and Senator Josh Hawley introduced withdrawal proposals, but neither advanced.

Rep. Tiffany's post | X

Tiffany said that "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." He added that it is time to pursue a better approach to trade—one that prioritizes American industry, jobs, and economic independence. "It has been two decades since Congress last voted on whether to continue our membership in this deeply flawed organization," he said. "The American people deserve to know if their elected officials stand with them or with China’s allies in the WTO."

The resolution highlights concerns about China’s actions since joining the WTO in 2001, including "intellectual property theft" and the export of "heavily subsidized" products while maintaining trade barriers. The release also notes that the WTO failed to address these issues. In response, according to National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, the United States suspended payments to the WTO last month. Hassett pointed out that since China’s entry into the WTO, "real incomes declined by about $1,200 cumulatively."

Tiffany represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District and was elected in May 2020 during a special election. He grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin, and holds a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Before his tenure in Congress, Tiffany served in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate, focusing on tax reduction, job creation, and Second Amendment rights protection.