Hinson’s Bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act Garners Robust Support

Washington, D.C. -  Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) recently introduced the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. Original co-sponsors of the bill are: Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), as well as Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Nate Moran (R-TX), Ben Cline (R-VA), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Glenn Ivey (D-LA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Lou Correa (D-CA).

The legislation garnered robust support from supporting organizations including the Alliance for American Manufacturing, American Shrimp Processors Association, American Iron and Steel Institute, America First Policy Institute, Campaign for Uyghurs, Coalition for a Prosperous America, Forging Industry Association, the National Council of Textile Organizations, and Steel Manufacturers Association.

"America's shrimp producers strongly support the creation of a permanent structure in the Department of Justice to focus on trade crimes. Our industry has been hammered by unfair imports from China and other countries, and our government needs the tools and resources to fully prosecute criminals that violate our trade laws and undermine the trade relief our producers have fought so hard to obtain." - Trey Pearson, President of the American Shrimp Processors Association

“Companies based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have consistently violated U.S. trade laws, including duty evasion, fraud, and transshipment through third countries. Refusing to abide by international law enables the PRC’s non-market economy, authoritarian Communist leadership, and Uyghur forced labor in China’s Xinjiang province while simultaneously undermining U.S. companies and workers.” - America First Policy Institute

"The Alliance for American Manufacturing commends the introduction of the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2024. The legislation rightly prioritizes the prosecution of trade crimes and is both sorely needed and long overdue. Customs fraud and other trade crimes are pernicious in their reach, harming domestic industries, destroying jobs, and robbing communities across the country of their economic lifeblood." - Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)
 
“AISI applauds the work of Representatives Krishnamoorthi and Hinson on the introduction of the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. By establishing within the Department of Justice a task force or similar structure specifically dedicated to prosecuting trade crimes, this legislation will help ensure that criminal activities to evade U.S. customs and trade laws are appropriately addressed by federal prosecutors. Full and vigorous enforcement of both the criminal and civil aspects of U.S. customs and trade laws is of critical importance to the American steel industry and its workers.” - American Iron and Steel Institute
 
“The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2024 establishes a new framework within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure compliance with trade laws meant to uphold justice, including the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The UFLPA has set a strong precedent to prevent the American market from being tainted by forced labor. This legislation goes a step further in holding violators accountable and closing accountability gaps in the current system. No one should turn a blind eye to the ongoing Uyghur genocide and CCP state-sponsored exploitation of Uyghur people for forced labor. Those who continue to undermine the UFLPA and existing trade laws, should face appropriate consequences. Campaign for Uyghurs urges the swift passage of this critical legislation, which centers transparency in actions taken to ensure the American market is protected from trade crimes." - Campaign for Uyghurs

“Right now, CPA member companies are forced to compete with Chinese and other foreign entities that are committing trade fraud and other criminal activities that are directly harming U.S. producers and American workers. Earlier this year, DHS raided Sunsong North America in Moraine, Ohio, the U.S. subsidiary of China’s Qingdao Sunsong, an automobile parts manufacturer that is currently under investigation by federal authorities for trade fraud. This underscores the urgent need for the Department of Justice to have enhanced authority and resources to prosecute international trade crimes effectively, thereby protecting American manufacturers and workers from malicious foreign entities intent on displacing them. Congress should swiftly pass this bipartisan legislation." - Michael Stumo, CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America

"The Forging Industry Association strongly supports the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act to prosecute the criminal actions of the Chinese Communist Party and those who violate our trade laws to undercut American manufacturing. Whether foreign or domestic, this bill will take trade criminals head on and strengthen the U.S. industrial base by giving the U.S. Government the tools it needs to prosecute violators." - Forging Industry Association, Independence, Ohio

“We commend the House Judiciary Committee and the House Select Committee on the CCP for highlighting the urgent need to establish a formal structure within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division dedicated to aggressively prosecuting trade fraud.  Rampant trade crime, ranging from slave-labor made products circumventing the U.S. ban on these imports, fraudulent rules of origin claims under our free trade agreements, evasion of duties through abuse of the de minimis loophole, and myriad other practices, has severely harmed the U.S. textile and apparel supply chain. This massive fraud is directly contributing to harmful consequences for the industry, which has shuttered 18 plants over the past several months and laid off hundreds of workers. Similarly, trade fraud is also adversely impacting our Western Hemisphere trade partners, who have been forced to close plants affecting tens of thousands of jobs. This legislation puts real teeth into combating trade crimes that are undermining U.S. manufacturers, workers, and supply chains, and will ensure that those facilitating these crimes will be held accountable.” - Kim Glas, President and CEO of National Council of Textile Organizations

“China remains the number one threat to domestic steel production, which is vital for our economic growth. China dumps cheap products to depress domestic production. China cheats every chance they can, destroying American jobs. We need strong legislation that provides our government the tools to fight their unfair trade practices. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues to support American workers and end China’s predatory trade behavior.” - Philip K. Bell, President, Steel Manufacturers Association

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