[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6310677,"mediaKeyId","2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411","parentId",2399034,"title","Lawmakers and industry warn of rising digital trade barriers and call for stronger IP enforcement abroad","audioSeconds",1630,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",3221000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411&start=1591&end=3221","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310677/Lawmakers-and-industry-warn-of-rising-digital-trade-barriers-and-call-for-stronger-IP-enforcement-abroad","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310677-9cd5314052d43de8f3e1aa5f368117e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774891087&Signature=hIGKmsBDHwmak8WNJk4KmBFLYXYANqxCcsoO671gL3F03Gry7sBjF2a2uWVM51mwC~duWJBfUdsBngDafGUchL2Ur2j4DUCs7rKUUy6LdVigYI8ivz8e-irBK4tLM0tfcVDln2Knjoa6O3fi3JLnCzeldzRA0M2UUl8mx~5chF5vYYTDi2szVIBIP6tYbOmq1FJUyjtqXYFJYtDiyzkJQHdO6mZ57-jn9ve2Ng5yhgYnhvJuu8CpuMrtGCMwepruvss2LK0ZLbykfTgzC1pKsj4OcboFYojFL4BllpXrD45HER5VcSuI0wfOvLwl35FcgPtU2AUn5ihq-ckUHg~xPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Witnesses at the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee hearing urged the U.S. to use trade remedies and multilateral engagement to push back against a growing array of digital trade barriers, including digital services taxes (DSTs), data localization mandates and asymmetric platform regulation.

Jonathan McHale, vice president at the Computer and Communications Industry Association, told the panel his group is tracking discriminatory digital measures in more than 50 countries. \"Digital services taxes ... cost U.S. companies billions of dollars annually,\" he said. McHale and other witnesses described how DSTs, forced revenue transfers and localization rules disadvantage U.S. firms and were particularly concerned that many governments, including allies, are adopting these measures.

Kevin Rosenbaum of the International Intellectual Property Alliance emphasized IP enforcement concerns: copyright industries, he said, contributed substantial value to the U.S. economy and face market access limits where partners do not fully implement agreements. Rosenbaum urged U.S. leadership at the World Intellectual Property Organization and at the World Trade Organization to preserve strong IP protections and to defend the e-commerce moratorium that prevents customs duties on electronic transmissions.

Members discussed enforcement options ranging from Section 301 actions and tariff responses to trade-preference criteria and using USTR's Special 301 process. Several participants urged the U.S. to remain active in multilateral settings to prevent fragmentation of Internet governance and to oppose regulatory models that could extract IP or require forced technology access.

Why it matters: The digital sector accounts for substantial U.S. services exports and jobs; witnesses said discriminatory foreign rules can shift investment and consumer access away from U.S. firms and raise compliance costs.

Ending: Members and witnesses voiced bipartisan concerns about digital barriers and pledged further oversight; the committee asked for written suggestions on specific enforcement steps and possible legislative responses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Trade Subcommittee Hearing on American Trade Enforcement Priorities","oneSentenceSummary","Industry witnesses told the Trade Subcommittee that digital services taxes, data localization and asymmetric platform rules in multiple countries threaten U.S. digital firms and creative industries; they urged forceful trade remedies and multilateral engagement on IP and e-commerce rules.","taxTitle","Ways and Means: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1828,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310682,"Farm groups and lawmakers press for stronger USMCA enforcement over Canadian dairy access",3212,894000,4106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411&start=894&end=4106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411/thumbnail_894000.jpg","/articles/6310682/Farm-groups-and-lawmakers-press-for-stronger-USMCA-enforcement-over-Canadian-dairy-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310682-068ca076f3282c018a79f75795d7aa62/orig.mp4?Expires=1774891087&Signature=NtX020bj5cdNO0qzAK7YlHAMZYNx25ESLYJUn1AukyYAumSkqPI8B2H3tmxYUfEj04WyEDMpMerFCpHyN99UPsz78Aypn870LEQGfaEKNui2CbG-s9xsquKsQPvsSZIIQDYp4FnwJlvFPqlSoDj991jSuzxDCnjlAvYnmZpM~1GshChIzFYJIA2Dzvuo~q3BmWx51uC7giGhYrt3AP38LZ0wZvmCRgGDA63jBT9dgFPf8mAKzy-AY7SjPnCfHQWClEwAaIpuXIzVImCLa~s1fYGuAczgdp8p7Zeupnhg4KSOrYp18Rp925r~9cePA-HgDtPHXZjTBvhykDZ1-5FoGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee raised longstanding agricultural complaints about Canada's dairy policies and other foreign barriers during a hearing focused on enforcement priorities. Agricultural witnesses said Canada's administration of tariff‑rate quotas (TRQs) and other measures prevent U.S. dairy exporters from realizing promised market access under the United States'Mexico'Canada Agreement.

Ambassador Greg Dowd, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, said \"Canada has a long history of attempting to undermine previously agreed to market access,\" pointing to TRQ allocation and what he described as systemic circumvention of USMCA disciplines. Dowd told members that Canada allocates TRQs to processors and retailers closely linked to its domestic industry, rather than to buyers that would import U.S. product.

Members pressed for concrete action. Chairman Smith and several Republican members said the administration should pursue dispute settlement and, if necessary, other enforcement measures. Dowd said the USMCA'era dispute process must be used more aggressively and that the upcoming 2026 USMCA review is an opportunity to renegotiate or clarify implementation.

Other agriculture topics raised included:
- Mexico: Members and witnesses discussed Mexican measures restricting biotech corn and the July 2022 request for consultations under USMCA; witnesses said further steps were needed to pursue the dispute.
- Colombia: Chairman Smith raised concern about politically motivated countervailing duty investigations in Colombia affecting U.S. milk powder and ethanol.
- European Union: Witnesses described a large agricultural trade deficit with the EU and complained about geographic indications and certification requirements that limit U.S. dairy access.

Why it matters: U.S. dairy exporters send a significant share of production to North American markets; several witnesses said roughly 44% of U.S. dairy exports go to Canada and Mexico and that enforcement failures have economic consequences for farmers.

No formal votes were taken. Members asked witnesses for followup materials and signaled that the committee will press agencies and the administration to use trade remedies and dispute mechanisms more aggressively to restore promised access to foreign markets.

Ending: The hearing underlined that agricultural trade enforcement is a bipartisan focus; witnesses and lawmakers linked enforcement to upcoming reviews and possible legislative fixes.","Representatives and dairy industry witnesses told the Trade Subcommittee that Canada's administration of tariff-rate quotas and export practices deny U.S. dairy producers the market access promised under USMCA, urging renewed negotiations and use of dispute mechanisms ahead of the 2026 USMCA review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310686,"Committee spotlights de minimis loophole and transshipment as major enforcement gaps",2822,3145000,5967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411&start=3145&end=5967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411/thumbnail_3145000.jpg","/articles/6310686/Committee-spotlights-de-minimis-loophole-and-transshipment-as-major-enforcement-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310686-32c8e1eb39288aa7864894659298c72a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774891087&Signature=Wn6jplr37QQEM5s~sfk8z38rUZaDKSgw6fsIQrxZBnX1QP4M6sfXy2QI43VehlL1kYRofbz4UwWFA1eTdgu4tLN6DXnntf69mCnWvoHE57GaNKTOSLIxbcAS~uqqgcw8~s0PLlFpP~bc0boNuvNCHHpGbI5a1PhLOQKV4SpzQ-YArkb9PIeiYyBNIagFNAyK65BHS6-IfhreYkyT1Wy9wxtcdWHcbZK~czN5qkOEN9MUoGHY0Do9NNnXmcuJtmr~uaSKViWtyPHYI8xgCYWYQZHRN~EAXmMbDcJnTqgJVwPtQxK~vPDuaoAQ7LUxcE4lkzhnioKQ9b32Mc4dSMUklg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee used Thursday's hearing to focus attention on the de minimis exemption and transshipment as key enforcement vulnerabilities that undermine U.S. trade remedies and border controls.

Ranking Member Rep. Linda Sanchez and several Republican members described a dramatic rise in low‑value package imports that avoid duties and inspections under the de minimis rule. \"This de minimis loophole has gutted U.S. manufacturing and retail and facilitated the entry of... fentanyl,\" Rep. Sanchez said. Former deputy USTR Jeffrey Gerrish and other witnesses agreed that reforming de minimis eligibility for imports subject to trade enforcement actions is a high priority.

The scope: Witnesses cited record numbers of de minimis shipments in recent years (figures discussed during the hearing included totals of hundreds of millions to over a billion packages in cited timeframes). Members said the surge has limited customs's ability to enforce antidumping/countervailing duties and increased risks of illegal goods entering the U.S.

Transshipment and mislabeling were repeatedly described as related problems. Former USTR officials and trade lawyers said Chinese producers and intermediaries shift production or paperwork through third countries to avoid duties, artificially change country of origin, or misclassify product types. These practices can neutralize remedies that take years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to obtain.

Legislative and enforcement responses discussed: witnesses and members called for several remedies already under consideration in Congress, including:
- Eliminating de minimis eligibility for imports subject to Section 301, Section 232 and trade-remedy actions;
- Strengthening the Enforce and Protect Act and using certification and anti‑evasion tools to require proof of non‑subject status for imported goods;
- Expanding customs cooperation with partner countries and giving U.S. Customs authority to self‑initiate evasion investigations.

Representative Dusty Johnson and Rep. David Cicilline were not present in the transcript but members across parties pressed for prompt action. The session did not include a vote; members asked witnesses for written followups and legislative text recommendations.

The hearing also connected de minimis and transshipment to public safety and law enforcement: several members argued that extremely low‑inspection parcel flows have been used to move illicit substances while evading duties and oversight.

Ending: Lawmakers signaled bipartisan interest in bills to close the de minimis loophole and to bolster customs authority; specific statutory text and timing were left to future hearings and markups.","Members and witnesses told the Trade Subcommittee that the de minimis exception for low‑value shipments and transshipment through third countries have become major paths for tariff evasion, fentanyl shipments and circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duty orders.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310691,"House Ways and Means subcommittee hears competing views on trade enforcement, tariffs and agency capacity",5410,244000,5654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411&start=244&end=5654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399034-1afd080e12fa9dd18a935e42ef205411/thumbnail_244000.jpg","/articles/6310691/House-Ways-and-Means-subcommittee-hears-competing-views-on-trade-enforcement-tariffs-and-agency-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310691-0b581f878970e631653687176ae1e9d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774891087&Signature=i9BboKWnDWavVwIA-VgQBRMoFzNYpbU8TBt4jWSy1VhoMgD6QvMNuiCEA8S4IP~Ke9UeP0FruPizo8UJrnmoZZweKvL0a-VXAaQiP2UjANus-mcl36iBSu4rcWXDMdNPbRR0YaYXNg4ZnizQms2CnvnwK4RjBnPghTLhH~~grtdoNKh0IA5AAbUwUT-6wb42D8F9iNJAQd~bKmPf5Y88JYyMICKTEMMB9d45gsn7lUwEFlGaMnguyXclFxbJbs9vpGuaVXOYqXxdcrB-dlhYmPS9jN5pM7RIVTxEQaBkGr3wXN4YINIMvWwU~EIuS1N9L8BbIvNZNkpDTyPzG0Uu3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Ways and Means Committee's Trade Subcommittee met for a hearing on American trade enforcement priorities, where Republican lawmakers and several witnesses pushed for aggressive use of trade remedies and tariffs while Democrats warned that broad, untargeted tariff plans would raise prices for U.S. households and risk undermining treaty-based dispute mechanisms.

The hearing opened with Chairman Smith calling for a swift, \"America First\" enforcement agenda and praising the Trump administration's early trade directives. Ranking Member Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) told the panel that tariffs ultimately fall on U.S. families and said enforcement requires funding and staffing for agencies that are already stretched thin.

Why it matters: The exchange highlighted two central tensions in current policy debates: whether to rely more on unilateral tariffs and other executive tools to counter unfair trade practices, or to prioritize negotiated, agreement-based remedies and increased agency capacity to sustain long-term market access for U.S. exporters.

Witnesses including Ambassador Greg Dowd of the National Milk Producers Federation and former deputy USTR Jeffrey Gerrish urged robust enforcement of existing agreements and new statutes to address Chinese subsidies, de minimis evasion and circumvention. Jonathan McHale of the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Kevin Rosenbaum of the International Intellectual Property Alliance emphasized threats from digital-services taxes, data localization and weak IP regimes abroad.

Republican members repeatedly argued that tools such as section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and new tariffs are effective levers. \"Tariffs can serve a significant role in raising revenue for the United States government,\" Ambassador Gerrish said, noting prior tariff revenues. Democrats cautioned that broad tariff use without congressional consultation could violate the Constitution and cited estimates that tariffs on close trading partners would raise consumer costs materially.

Several members raised immediate, practical concerns about enforcement capacity. Witness Greta Peich, former general counsel at USTR, and others warned that Customs and Border Protection, the International Trade Administration and USTR are already overburdened handling rising antidumping and countervailing duty petitions, forced-labor enforcement and other trade remedy work.

The hearing also surfaced bipartisan support for legislative remedies targeting circumvention and evasion: members and witnesses cited the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2 and the Fighting Trade Cheats Act as bills that would expedite successive investigations, strengthen circumvention rules, and enhance customs enforcement.

The session closed with members pledging further hearings and requests for written follow-ups; no formal committee votes occurred during the hearing.

An ending note: The hearing made clear that enforcement strategy remains contested on both legal and practical grounds'even among members who agree that unfair foreign practices threaten U.S. producers. Lawmakers signaled plans for additional oversight of agency staffing, targeted legislation to address circumvention and continued scrutiny of administration tariff actions.","A House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee hearing featured witnesses and members debating an aggressive enforcement agenda focused on China, USMCA and digital trade, while Democrats warned that broad tariff plans risk raising costs for U.S. households and undermining treaty-based enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers and industry warn of rising digital trade barriers and call for stronger IP enforcement abroad

Farm groups and lawmakers press for stronger USMCA enforcement over Canadian dairy access

Committee spotlights de minimis loophole and transshipment as major enforcement gaps

House Ways and Means subcommittee hears competing views on trade enforcement, tariffs and agency capacity