Time to Strategically Engage with Trade Partners

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, President Trump's erratic trade policies, including abrupt tweets on new tariffs or exemptions, are hurting American workers and making it harder for American businesses to compete.

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit eight businesses in my district to better understand the impact of these tariffs. While each business was distinct, all shared a common message: Tariffs are creating uncertainty, raising the cost of doing business, and making it harder to hire and expand.

These concerns were true across the businesses I visited, from a large manufacturer in Wheeling that saw a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in the price of domestic steel, to an educational toy and game company in Vernon Hills that had to redesign upcoming products.

We certainly must hold bad actors who take advantage of trade rules to account, but President Trump's tariffs on our allies are not working for the American people. It is time, instead, to strategically engage with our trade partners; end the misguided trade wars; and, instead, enact sensible, enforceable trade agreements that support American workers, American businesses, American intellectual property, and our environment.

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