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Restoring Trade Fairness Act

USA119th CongressHR-694| House 
| Updated: 1/23/2025
John R. Moolenaar

John R. Moolenaar

Republican Representative

Michigan

Cosponsors (2)
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican)
Committees (6)
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Ways and Means Committee• Agriculture Committee• Armed Services Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to fundamentally alter trade relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Citing China's non-compliance with trade agreements and its state-led economic practices, the bill immediately suspends normal trade relations (NTR) with China, removing its access to lower tariff rates. This action is based on a sense of Congress that China's current trade status threatens national security and undermines efforts to build resilient supply chains. Upon enactment, the President is directed to revise the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to apply higher duties to Chinese imports. Most articles will face a minimum duty of 35 percent ad valorem , while a list of specified critical articles, including certain chemicals, machinery, electronics, and defense-related goods, will be subject to a minimum of 100 percent ad valorem . These duty increases will be phased in over five years, starting with 10 percent of the increase after 180 days and reaching 100 percent after five years. For articles imported exclusively from China, the bill mandates the establishment of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) , set at the difference between U.S. consumption and domestic production. In-quota articles will initially retain pre-enactment duty rates for three years, then gradually transition to the new higher rates over an additional four years, while above-quota articles will face a 100 percent ad valorem duty immediately. The International Trade Commission (ITC) is tasked with providing necessary data for these determinations. The President gains additional authority to further increase duties or even prohibit imports from China if necessary to counter U.S. dependence, penalize unfair trade practices, or address national security threats and human rights violations. Furthermore, the bill changes how Chinese merchandise is valued for customs purposes, requiring appraisal based on its "United States value" and eliminating China's eligibility for the duty-free de minimis import exemption for articles originating from covered nations. A dedicated trust fund will be established, funded by the increased duties collected on Chinese imports. This fund is designated to compensate U.S. producers, particularly in agriculture and critical sectors like semiconductors and aircraft, for lost revenue resulting from any retaliatory actions by China. Any remaining funds at the end of a fiscal year will be transferred to the Department of Defense to acquire specific munitions for the defense of Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies. The trust fund and its requirements will terminate after 10 years, with any remaining funds transferred to the general fund for deficit reduction.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10127
Restoring Trade Fairness Act
Jan 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-206
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10127
    Restoring Trade Fairness Act


  • January 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-206
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Related Bills

  • S 119-206: Restoring Trade Fairness Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAgricultural tradeAsiaBudget deficits and national debtChinaCongressional oversightCustoms enforcementDepartment of DefenseExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsInflation and pricesNormal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatmentPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsTariffsTrade restrictionsU.S. International Trade Commission

Restoring Trade Fairness Act

USA119th CongressHR-694| House 
| Updated: 1/23/2025
This legislation aims to fundamentally alter trade relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Citing China's non-compliance with trade agreements and its state-led economic practices, the bill immediately suspends normal trade relations (NTR) with China, removing its access to lower tariff rates. This action is based on a sense of Congress that China's current trade status threatens national security and undermines efforts to build resilient supply chains. Upon enactment, the President is directed to revise the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to apply higher duties to Chinese imports. Most articles will face a minimum duty of 35 percent ad valorem , while a list of specified critical articles, including certain chemicals, machinery, electronics, and defense-related goods, will be subject to a minimum of 100 percent ad valorem . These duty increases will be phased in over five years, starting with 10 percent of the increase after 180 days and reaching 100 percent after five years. For articles imported exclusively from China, the bill mandates the establishment of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) , set at the difference between U.S. consumption and domestic production. In-quota articles will initially retain pre-enactment duty rates for three years, then gradually transition to the new higher rates over an additional four years, while above-quota articles will face a 100 percent ad valorem duty immediately. The International Trade Commission (ITC) is tasked with providing necessary data for these determinations. The President gains additional authority to further increase duties or even prohibit imports from China if necessary to counter U.S. dependence, penalize unfair trade practices, or address national security threats and human rights violations. Furthermore, the bill changes how Chinese merchandise is valued for customs purposes, requiring appraisal based on its "United States value" and eliminating China's eligibility for the duty-free de minimis import exemption for articles originating from covered nations. A dedicated trust fund will be established, funded by the increased duties collected on Chinese imports. This fund is designated to compensate U.S. producers, particularly in agriculture and critical sectors like semiconductors and aircraft, for lost revenue resulting from any retaliatory actions by China. Any remaining funds at the end of a fiscal year will be transferred to the Department of Defense to acquire specific munitions for the defense of Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies. The trust fund and its requirements will terminate after 10 years, with any remaining funds transferred to the general fund for deficit reduction.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10127
Restoring Trade Fairness Act
Jan 23, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-206
Introduced in Senate
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10127
    Restoring Trade Fairness Act


  • January 23, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-206
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
John R. Moolenaar

John R. Moolenaar

Republican Representative

Michigan

Cosponsors (2)
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican)
Committees (6)
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Ways and Means Committee• Agriculture Committee• Armed Services Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Related Bills

  • S 119-206: Restoring Trade Fairness Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAgricultural tradeAsiaBudget deficits and national debtChinaCongressional oversightCustoms enforcementDepartment of DefenseExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsInflation and pricesNormal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatmentPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsTariffsTrade restrictionsU.S. International Trade Commission