Central Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Representative Tom Tiffany has expressed concerns over the impact of foreign trade practices on American industries, particularly farmers, fishermen, and workers. He said the World Trade Organization (WTO) was allegedly ignoring these issues and advocated for the United States to withdraw from the organization. Tiffany's remarks were made in an April 22 post on X.

"For too long, American farmers, fishermen, and workers have been harmed by predatory foreign trade practices while World Trade Organization bureaucrats looked the other way," said Rep. Tom Tiffany. "It's time to get the U.S. out of the WTO."

According to Tiffany, a report from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) highlights ten unfair trade practices affecting U.S. producers. These include Brazil’s deforestation, China’s subsidized fishing fleet, illegal fishing that distorts markets, and illegal avocado production in Mexico. The report also mentions illegal timber from Peru, environmental issues related to Ecuador and Colombia’s gold mining, and a temporary tariff by the European Union on U.S. lobster, which it suggests should be made permanent for fair competition.

Rep. Tiffany's post | X

A press release reveals that Tiffany introduced a joint resolution advocating for the United States' withdrawal from the WTO. Under U.S. law, this allows Congress to consider such a resolution every five years based on an annual report assessing the WTO's impact. Previous resolutions were debated in 2000 and 2005 but not introduced in 2010 or 2015. In 2020, similar proposals by Representative Peter DeFazio and Senator Josh Hawley did not advance.

"American trade policies should be made by American officials who are elected by American voters and accountable to American workers," said Tiffany in a press release. "It’s time to pursue a better approach to trade – one that puts American industry, jobs, and economic independence first." He further said that it has been two decades since Congress last voted on WTO membership and emphasized that "the American people deserve to know if their elected officials stand with them or with China’s allies in the WTO."

Tiffany represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District and was elected during a special election in May 2020. His background includes growing up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin, earning a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, and serving in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate.