John Furner President and CEO | Official website
The National Retail Federation (NRF) expressed its disappointment today with the outcome of the U.S. Trade Representative's four-year review of the Section 301 China tariffs. The statement was issued by David French, NRF's Executive Vice President of Government Relations, following the release of the review by the U.S. Trade Representative and the White House.
"We are extremely disappointed that the United States Trade Representative and the Biden administration have chosen to double down on a failed and inflationary strategy by sustaining and expanding the Section 301 China tariffs," said French. He warned that maintaining these tariffs on consumer goods will increase costs for everyday products imported from China.
French further stated, "As consumers continue to battle inflation, the last thing the administration should be doing is placing additional taxes on imported products that will be paid by U.S. importers and eventually U.S. consumers." He criticized that the ongoing Section 301 China tariffs have not been effective in forcing China to change its trade practices.
He emphasized, "We need a new strategy that will address the core issues and provide actual incentives for U.S. companies to shift their supply chains from China." French advocated for new free trade agreements focusing on market access and tariff reductions, as well as urging Congress to pass long-standing trade preference programs which remain expired.
"The U.S. economy needs real incentives — unlike those in the form of penal tariffs — to shift supply chains away from China," he added. He also urged for an immediate renewal of exclusions set to expire at month-end and called for a fair and transparent exclusions process for all products covered by tariffs.
The NRF, being a leading authority and voice for retail, vowed to continue advocating for trade policies promoting economic growth.
About NRF: The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for people, brands, policies, and ideas helping retail succeed. Based in Washington D.C., NRF empowers an industry that fuels economy. As America's largest private-sector employer, retail contributes $5.3 trillion to the annual GDP and supports over one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring, and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.
