Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), joined by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), introduced bipartisan legislation to level the playing field for American workers. The Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 updates U.S. trade remedy law to combat China’s anti-free market trade practices.

“The Chinese Communist Party routinely ignores established trading rules and aggressively works to cheat the system and shut American workers and manufacturers out of the global market,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “Our legislation will allow American workers to compete on a more level playing field by cracking down on exploitative trade practices from countries like China that put American manufacturers at a disadvantage. The Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 will help build a stronger, more resilient, and more self-sufficient America, one that allows for the expansion of our middle class and the strengthening of our skilled trades. I thank my colleagues for joining me in introducing this important legislation.”

“The Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 takes important steps to strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws and push back against China’s egregious efforts to manipulate the global market,” said Rep. Sewell. “It will promote fair competition and protect American workers in the process. After all, we know that if American workers are given the opportunity to compete on a fair and level playing field, they will win on the world stage!”

“Our bill will protect American jobs and combat China’s unfair trade practices,” said Sen. Young. “China has distorted the free market by dumping undervalued products and subsidizing industries, actions designed to harm American businesses and workers. This legislation will help level the playing field to ensure the United States can outcompete the Chinese Communist Party.”

“For too long, foreign competitors like China have engaged in unfair trade practices that have undermined domestic industry and threatened our national security,” said Sen. Smith. “This legislation provides more tools for the U.S. to stop illegal dumping and subsidies that have made it impossible for domestic producers and workers to compete. I’m glad to introduce the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 with Senator Young to protect American workers like Minnesota’s Iron Rangers.”

“The Chinese Communist Party has long manipulated global trade to the detriment of American workers and industries," said Rep. Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on China. "As Chairman of the Select Committee on China, I’m proud to support the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0, which strengthens our trade laws to combat China’s criminal trade practices and distortive subsidies. This bipartisan legislation helps American workers compete fairly in the global market, free from China’s economic aggression. I thank Representatives Van Duyne and Sewell for their leadership in advancing this critical measure to protect our economy and national security.”

“American trade policy must continue to promote fair competition while protecting American workers and businesses from the Chinese Communist Party’s unfair trade practices,” said Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on China. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation to strengthen our trade remedy laws and counter the CCP’s predatory tactics.”

“Every effort must be taken to ensure that American workers can compete on a level playing field and thrive in our global economy,” said Rep. Mrvan. “I look forward to continuing to work with all of my House and Senate colleagues to advance this critical legislation to support the ability of all American workers to grow our economy and provide for our national security.”

Congresswoman Van Duyne and Congresswoman Sewell were joined by Congresswoman Miller (R-WV-01), Chairman Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Chairman Bost (R-IL-12), Chairman Crawford (R-AR-01), Chairman Rogers (R-AL-03), Congressman Balderson (R-OH-12), Congressman Bergman (R-MI-01), Congressman Carson (D-IN-07), Congressman Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Congresswoman De La Cruz (R-TX-15), Congressman Deluzio (R-PA-17), Congresswoman Dingell (D-MI-06), Congressman Edwards (R-NC-11), Congressman Finstad (R-MN-01), Congresswoman Hinson (R-IA-02), Congresswoman Houlahan (D-PA-06), Congressman Johnson (D-GA-04), Congresswoman Kelly (D-IL-02), Congressman Khanna (D-CA-17), Congressman McGarvey (D-KY-03), Congressman Moore (R-NC-14), Congressman Mrvan (D-IN-01), Congressman Nehls (R-TX-22), Congressman Rulli (R-OH-06), Congresswoman Scholten (D-MI-03), Congresswoman Sykes (D-OH-13), Congresswoman Titus (D-NV-01), and Congressman Veasey (D-TX-33).

The bill was also supported by the American Iron and Steel Institute, Steel Manufacturers Association, Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws, American Wire Producers Association, Cold Finished Steel Bar Institute, Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, Specialty Steel Industry of North America, Steel Manufacturers Association, the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports, and the U.S. OCTG Manufacturers Association.

 “The American steel industry has faced repeated surges of unfairly traded steel imports from many countries and regions. U.S. trade remedy laws are the only means by which the American steel industry can mitigate the harm from these unfairly traded imports and help prevent plants from being idled and workers from losing their jobs. By strengthening the effectiveness of our trade laws, this bill will help give the American public confidence that our government has every tool available to fight for a level playing field for the American steel industry and our workers. We appreciate the tremendous leadership of Reps. Van Duyne and Sewell in support of American steel industry.” – Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute.

“The Steel Manufacturers Association thanks Congresswoman Van Duyne and Congresswoman Sewell for their introduction of the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act. China is actively working to depresses or eliminate domestic manufacturing in the U.S. The antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws are the first line of defense for domestic industries fighting against unfair trade. However, after more than 30 years without major revisions, they are in dire need of updating. American workers and industry have borne the brunt of these shortcomings in U.S. trade law enforcement. The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act does just that, it provides our government new tools to fight against unfair trade and levels the playing field for American workers and industry. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Van Duyne and Congresswoman Sewell to support this vital legislation and American jobs.” – Philip K. Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association.

"On behalf of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) and the companies and workers making kitchen cabinets in Texas and across the country, we would like to thank Rep. Van Duyne and her colleague Rep. Sewell and other original cosponsors for introducing the ‘Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0’ – legislation that will not only strengthen the U.S. unfair trade laws, but provide a much needed level playing field for our industry to compete in. Our industry knows first hand about the impact of unfairly traded imports and why it is important to have strong trade laws in place to combat unfair trade practices. That is why today we stand in support of this legislation and pledge to work with members in the House to advance this bill in the 119th Congress." – Betsy Natz, CEO of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.

Click here for bill text.

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