Panetta, Miller, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reassert Congressional Authority on Indo-Pacific Trade
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D_CA) and Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) reintroduced the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act (USTLIPA) along with Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Don Beyer (D-VA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Ami Bera (D-CA). The U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act will reassert Congress’s authority over trade to combat China’s growing economic influence in the Indo-Pacific through renewed American efforts at re-engaging our allies and identifying opportunities for regional partnerships.
While it is evident that the United States is falling behind in the Indo-Pacific region, China has engaged our allies to pursue active trade agendas that block the U.S. from competing. The U.S. has not concluded a single comprehensive trade agreement with an Indo-Pacific partner in more than 10 years. Trade with our Indo-Pacific allies is critical as it supports millions of American jobs and represents several of our top export markets. A targeted U.S. International Trade Commission study will develop meaningful solutions to achieve U.S. objectives through a bipartisan Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission, which will deliver recommendations on options that Congress can take to compete in the region.
Click here for bill text.
“The Chinese Communist Party is actively leveraging its economic influence to outmaneuver the United States and our allies in the Indo-Pacific region, putting American jobs, innovation, and economic security at risk. The bipartisan U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act would establish a dedicated independent trade commission to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter China's advances, bolster U.S. exports, and strengthen partnerships with our regional allies. By stepping up our trade leadership in the Indo-Pacific, we can reclaim our position as an economic leader, promote democratic values, and secure opportunities for American businesses and workers," said Congressman Panetta.
"It is imperative that the United States has strong trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific. Congress should work with President Trump to combat China and ensure that America is leading on the world stage. The U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act is just the first of many necessary steps that the United States needs to take to remain leaders in global trade. The bipartisan Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission will deliver recommendations to Congress in order to partner with the Trump administration on opportunities to compete in the region to achieve U.S. objectives and deliver measurable outcomes," said Congresswoman Carol Miller.
“The United States cannot afford to be left behind in the global marketplace. Hardworking Americans depend on Congress and the administration to advance trade policy which stands up for our competitiveness and rules-based trade standards. This legislation will rightfully assert U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific region, defend our economic security, and help confront China’s unfair trade practices,” said Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Smith.
“Every day the Chinese Communist Party is working to undermine the United States and become the sole superpower on the world stage. The U.S Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act allows Congress and the Trump administration to act quickly to cement America’s competitiveness in the region. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bipartisan piece of legislation to bolster Illinois’ agriculture and manufacturing industries while protecting American trade, economic interests, and U.S. national security," said Congressman LaHood.
“The Indo-Pacific region is integral to American prosperity and security. Given the PRC’s assertive efforts to shape the trade agenda in the region, it is important for the United States to assert leadership to ensure the rules governing trade in this region support American interests and values. This bipartisan legislation highlights our shared commitment to fostering innovation, expanding exports and safeguarding American interests in the Indo-Pacific region," said Congressman Bera, M.D.
“It is hard to overstate the tremendous and growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the U.S. economy, either as a destination for American exports, a key link in critical supply chains, or as a source of foreign direct investment. It is crucial that the United States is at the table as the rules governing Indo-Pacific trade are being crafted. This legislation will provide us with the information we need and recommendations on how to best engage with our allies and partners to put the U.S. workers in a position to succeed in the years ahead," said Congressman Beyer.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the United States Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act. By the end of this decade more than 60% of the world’s middle class consumers will reside in the Indo-Pacific region, and American workers, farmers, and companies need better access to those growing markets. This bill provides a roadmap that will lead the United States back the negotiating table for new market-opening trade agreements to support jobs and growth here at home,” said John Murphy, Senior Vice President and Head of International, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"NFTC welcomes this legislation and its strong, bipartisan support. These actions will help to make the case for continued U.S. leadership in this important region and inform both Congress and the Administration about the opportunities trade engagement can provide to strengthen U.S. security interests and level the playing field for our companies, farmers, workers, and consumers," said Tiffany Smith, Vice President for Global Trade Policy, National Foreign Trade Council.
"AAFA fully supports re-engaging with our allies in the Indo-Pacific on trade. The U.S. is left out of key markets because we are not negotiating meaningful and comprehensive trade agreements in the region, specifically with Vietnam. Many thanks to Rep. Carol Miller for her leadership in introducing this important measure and ensuring we can advance U.S. trade priorities in the Indo-Pacific region," said Stephen Lamar, President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association.
"The US-ASEAN Business Council, which represents 178 American companies doing business in Southeast Asia, with over $7 trillion in combined revenue, welcomes Rep. Miller's legislative leadership in reinvigorating the competitiveness of U.S. trade policy in Asia. While U.S. trade growth with Southeast Asia is strong—with the United States becoming ASEAN’s top export market in 2024—the United States’ trade competitors either possess or are negotiating preferential market access trade agreements with Southeast Asia, a region forecast to be the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030. It is therefore in the United States’ economic interests to pursue a proactive trade policy with the region," said Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.), President and CEO, US-ASEAN Business Council.
“The makers of America's food, beverage, household and personal care products applaud the introduction of the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act and Congressional efforts that will strengthen supply chains and connectivity with key global markets in the region. As the largest domestic manufacturing sector by employment, supporting more than 22 million American jobs and contributing $2.5 trillion to the U.S. GDP, the consumer packaged goods industry is bullish on harnessing the potential of Congressionally supported trade efforts to promote U.S. competitiveness, grow the economy and support American manufacturing jobs,” said Thomas Madrecki, Vice President of Supply Chain Resiliency, Consumer Brands Association.
###