Pascrell Comments on Ongoing Trade Negotiations With China

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.-09), New Jersey’s only member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, issued a statement in advance of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s testimony before the committee next week on trade negotiations with China.

“With the March 1 deadline rapidly approaching, I am eager to hear from Ambassador Lighthizer on the administration’s negotiations with China. I am encouraged by signs of progress, but remain concerned that the President will accept a quick offer of procurement of U.S. goods rather than fundamental reforms to China’s systemic problems. USTR was right to investigate forced technology transfer and intellectual property theft in its Section 301 investigation. These practices, along with China’s subsidizing domestic industries, directly threaten U.S. businesses and global competitiveness. We cannot accept meager offers of cheap transactions over long-lasting and needed reforms. I will continue to encourage Ambassador Lighthizer to be firm in sticking to his stated goals and negotiating lasting changes to China’s unfair trade practices.”

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