A bill first introduced in 2023 (see 2303160067) that would increase the penalty for trade fraud, and create a right of private action to sue on customs fraud and gross negligence was reintroduced this week.
At a subcommitee hearing called "Foreign Threats to American Innovation and Economic Leadership," senators shared their frustration that they had a similar hearing about the profusion of counterfeit products for sale online two years ago, and still, they haven't been able to make a difference (see 2310030071).
Jeffrey Gerrish, former deputy U.S. trade representative for Asia, Europe and the Middle East, told the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee that the time has come to undo the "colossal mistake" of granting permanent normal trading status.
Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., reintroduced the Fighting Trade Cheats Act, which would allow domestic manufacturers to sue foreign producers for customs fraud. It would double penalties, and establish a five-year prohibition on importing products from past violators.
In the first third of its first public hearing on promoting supply chain resilience, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and interagency officials heard from groups disputing the premise of the project -- that liberalizing trade was harmful to U.S. workers and manufacturing -- and from those who say the worker-centered trade approach of the Biden administration is not going far enough to restore American manufacturing.