State Legislators’ Letter to Trump: Protectionism Threatens American Jobs
State lawmakers from nine states signed a letter to President Trump urging his administration to reject protectionist trade policies. The letter was organized by the American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation’s largest voluntary membership organization of state legislators.
The letter urges President Trump to reject any protectionist remedies recommended by the International Trade Commission (ITC). The letter states: “If implemented, the ITC’s recommendations could result in lost manufacturing jobs in South Carolina and Tennessee.”
The letter goes on to say: “The petition alleges injury under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1973 and is just the most recent attempt by a U.S. corporation to cynically manipulate American trade law… Whirlpool is seeking import relief protection in spite of the fact it is thriving.”
The letter also points out the support of U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for foreign-based manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Residential washer manufacturers Samsung and LG have created 1600 jobs and have invested millions of dollars in South Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey and Tennessee. At the groundbreaking ceremony of LG’s appliance plant in Tennessee, Sec. Ross welcomed the foreign investment. “Foreign direct investment in America is a win both for the company and for the nation.”
The state legislators who signed the letter hope President Trump feels the same way as Sec. Ross and that he opposes trade protectionism. American jobs depend on it.
