Heitkamp Statement on Escalation of Trade War with China

 

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after the administration announced plans to place an additional $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, escalating the trade war that is impacting North Dakota’s largest industries. China is expected to respond by imposing additional barriers to U.S. exports.

“Leaders representing North Dakota’s largest industries continue to urge the administration to stop this damaging trade war, but this escalation is yet another sign that the administration isn’t listening to the needs of rural America,” Heitkamp said. “Farmers and ranchers, energy producers, and manufacturers are speaking up that this trade war is bad for their pocketbooks and threatens their industries. While China’s unfair trade practices can and must be addressed through tough trade enforcement, we need smart, common sense trade policies that open markets and create opportunity for those in North Dakota who proudly produce food, fuel, and machinery for the world. Just yesterday, I pressed Ambassador Lighthizer to take into account the needs of North Dakota because rural America doesn’t deserve to be collateral damage in this misguided trade war.”