Ways and Means Trade Leader Says Section 301 Tariff Changes 'Constructive'

Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, acknowledged in a hallway interview at the Capitol that he has been briefed that the Biden administration will lift Section 301 tariffs from some products as part of its review of the action against Chinese trade abuses.

"I think it's a step in the right direction. I think, you know, it is a balancing act, and I don't think this is the last step. But I think it's constructive."

Trade Subcommitee Chairman Rep. Adrian Smith. R-Neb., said he needs to review the information more before he can say if he thinks it strikes the right balance of ending some non-strategic tariffs and continuing to keep pressure on China. "It's no secret that I'm concerned that USTR is as active as they need to be. Is this an area where maybe they're going to focus? Maybe."