Tariffs. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, introduced Jan. 30 a bill (H.R. 902) that would direct the president to impose duties on goods from China to compensate holders of U.S. intellectual property rights for losses resulting from violations of those rights in China. Neither the text of this bill nor any supplemental information is yet available.
Exports. The Promoting Rural Exports Act (S. 295, introduced Jan. 31 by Sen. Klobuchar, D-Minn.) would establish a Rural Export Center at the U.S. Commercial Service to help rural businesses access international markets and increase exports. Specifically, the REC would provide customized market research services and conduct strategic planning and export support services.
Trade Subcommittee Members. The following senators are expected to be approved as members of the Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness. Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., are ex officio members of this subcommittee.
| Republicans | Democrats |
| John Cornyn (Texas), chair | Robert Casey (Pa.), ranking member |
| Mike Crapo (Idaho) | Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) |
| Pat Roberts (Kansas) | Maria Cantwell (Wash.) |
| John Thune (S.D.) | Robert Menendez (N.J.) |
| Johnny Isakson (Ga.) | Ben Cardin (Md.) |
| Rob Portman (Ohio) | Sherrod Brown (Ohio) |
| Pat Toomey (Pa.) | Mark Warner (Va.) |
| Tim Scott (S.C.) | Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) |
| Bill Cassidy (La.) | |
| Steve Daines (Mont.) | |
| Todd Young (Ind.) | |
New Democrat Trade Task Force. The New Democrat Coalition has announced that its Trade Task Force will be co-chaired by Reps. Ron Kind (Wis.), Rick Larsen (Wash.), Greg Meeks (N.Y.), and Lizzie Fletcher (Texas). This and the coalition’s other seven task forces are charged with meeting with stakeholders and developing policy positions for the coalition to advance in both the near term and long term.