Preserve a Vital US-Canada Partnership While Resolving Trade Disputes

As a constituent, I urge you to act to reverse the new 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods and prevent an escalating trade war with one of America’s closest allies and largest trading partners. These tariffs can increase prices, disrupt North American supply chains, and expose U.S. exporters to Canadian retaliation. Congress should press the administration to suspend them and reconsider the broad presidential tariff authority being used. THE TARIFFS WILL RAISE COSTS FOR AMERICANS The tariffs affect products ranging from food and clothing to building materials and electronics. U.S. importers pay the tariff at the border, and some of that cost can be passed on as higher prices. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has warned that higher tariffs on Canadian goods would raise costs for American families, disrupt supply chains and threaten trade supporting millions of American jobs. RETALIATION WILL PUT AMERICAN EXPORTS AT RISK Canada has announced dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs beginning September 8. American farmers, manufacturers and other exporters could lose sales in Canada while U.S. consumers face higher costs at home. TARGETED DISPUTES DO NOT REQUIRE SWEEPING TARIFFS The administration says Canada has discriminated against U.S. commerce involving alcohol, dairy products and motor vehicles. Those disputes may warrant negotiation or targeted action, but 50 percent tariffs on a much broader range of goods are a disproportionate response that will also cost Americans and invite retaliation. NEEDLESS ESCALATION WILL DAMAGE A VITAL ALLIANCE The United States and Canada have built one of the world’s closest economic, security and diplomatic relationships, with extensive trade, integrated industries, defense cooperation and longstanding ties between their citizens. Trade disputes should not be allowed to damage a relationship that supports American security, commerce and cross-border cooperation. CONGRESS CAN ACT TO STOP THE ESCALATION The administration imposed these tariffs under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which permits duties of up to 50 percent when another country is found to discriminate against U.S. commerce. Congress created this authority and can repeal it. H.R. 2464 would do so. Please use Congress’s legislative and oversight authority to reverse these tariffs, protect American consumers and businesses, prevent further escalation, and avoid needless damage to our longstanding relationship with Canada. (1) SUSPEND TARIFFS. Urge the President and U.S. Trade Representative to suspend the new Canadian tariffs and resume negotiations to resolve the underlying trade disputes. (2) REPEAL AUTHORITY. Support legislation, including H.R. 2464 or Senate companion legislation, to repeal Section 338. (3) REQUIRE OVERSIGHT. Support hearings on the economic effects of the tariffs, the justification for using Section 338, and the consequences for American consumers, workers, farmers and businesses. Thank you.