Trump’s Tariffs Opened the Door. Now Congress Must End China’s Trade Privileges.

Washington, D.C. – As the Trump Administration marks its "First 100 Days" milestone with a renewed focus on U.S.-China trade policy, House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar is urging Congress to take decisive legislative action to secure America's economic future.

In a new op-ed in the Washington Examiner, Chairman Moolenaar praises President Trump’s leadership in standing up to China through bold tariff action.He emphasizes that executive action alone is not enough to ensure lasting change and calls on Congress to lock in permanent reforms by ending China's Most Favored Nation (MFN) status and codifying a durable, strategic tariff framework into law.

"President Trump opened the door. Now Congress must finish the job," said Moolenaar. "We need bipartisan legislation that puts America first—not just today, but for generations to come."

Chairman Moolenaar highlights the Restoring Trade Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), as the pathway forward. The bill would:

• End China’s MFN status once and for all
• Create a separate tariff column for Chinese imports
• Impose tariffs of up to 100% on critical industries like semiconductors and defense-related technology
• Set a 35% baseline tariff on other Chinese goods
• Reinvest tariff revenue to rebuild America’s industrial base and strengthen national security

This approach closely aligns with the tiered tariff strategy recently reported by the Wall Street Journal and mirrors emerging discussions within the Trump administration.

At a time when economic security, China policy, and supply chain independence are again front and center, Moolenaar argues that principled congressional action is urgently needed.

"China’s weaponization of trade is no longer hypothetical—it’s an imminent threat to America’s industrial base, national defense, and way of life. Free trade must be earned by free nations that play by the rules, not given away to authoritarian regimes that exploit our openness," said Chairman Moolenaar.

Chairman Moolenaar’s message is clear: The time to act is now.

Read the full op-ed below:

Trump’s Tariffs Opened the Door. Now Congress Must End China’s Trade Privileges.

By Rep. John Moolenaar, Chairman, House Select Committee on China

President Trump’s bold action on tariffs opened the door to a long-overdue reckoning in U.S. trade policy. For the first time in a generation, we have a real opportunity to reset the rules of global trade in a way that favors American workers, strengthens national security, and restores our industrial base. 

For decades, U.S. and other world leaders made a dangerous mistake: they believed that engaging economically with China would open the door to political reform and a more responsible China. Instead, the Chinese Communist Party took advantage of our goodwill—undermining American workers, hollowing out our industrial base, and using trade as a strategic weapon against us and our allies.

Now, under President Trump’s leadership, we are entering a new phase. As the administration marks its first 100 days, it’s already delivering on key promises when it comes to fighting the Chinese Communist Party. We're encouraged by new reports that the administration is considering a tiered tariff structure on Chinese imports—35% for non-sensitive goods and over 100% for strategic sectors. This approach reflects a growing consensus and closely mirrors what our committee proposed last year: China is not a normal trading partner, and it should no longer be treated like one.

But tariffs imposed through executive action can be reversed with the stroke of a pen. That’s why we need durable, bipartisan legislative solutions. Congress must act to provide businesses with the certainty they need to invest, expand, and compete. It’s time to lock in a trade policy that puts America first—now and for the long term.

That’s the goal of the Restoring Trade Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced with Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY). The bill ends China’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) status and creates a separate tariff column specifically for China—because nations that don’t play by the rules shouldn’t enjoy the benefits of free trade. Similar to what is reportedly under consideration at the White House, my legislation establishes a clear, strategic framework: tariffs of up to 100% on critical sectors like semiconductors and defense technology, and 35% on less sensitive goods. The bill also ensures that revenue from these tariffs is reinvested in America—supporting farmers impacted by retaliation, rebuilding industry, and strengthening our national defense, especially for a potential Taiwan scenario.

This isn’t about protectionism. It’s about fair trade, earned through transparency, reciprocity, and respect for international rules. China has repeatedly violated those principles—and continuing to grant them preferential treatment no longer makes any sense 

Instead, we should be building a new framework for global trade—one centered on free trade with free nations. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) offers a strong foundation and a useful blueprint. It enforces high standards for labor rights, intellectual property, and supply chain integrity. We should build on this model and invite like-minded allies into an expanded trade coalition—one that rewards democratic norms and rules-based economies.

At the same time, we must preserve strong defenses against economic coercion: targeted tariffs, export controls, and investment restrictions—especially when dealing with authoritarian regimes that exploit openness for strategic gain.

This strategy would do what the Chinese Communist Party fears most: reduce global reliance on China while strengthening alliances with nations that respect the rules. This is what principled economic leadership looks like—ensuring that trade strengthens national security rather than undermining it.

And the need for urgency is real. China has shown time and again that it will weaponize trade dependencies to advance its geopolitical agenda. If conflict breaks out—particularly over Taiwan—Beijing could cut off critical supplies in an instant. That risk is no longer theoretical. It’s imminent.

The good news? America is no longer turning a blind eye. Companies are shifting supply chains out of China. Markets are demanding predictability. And the Trump administration has reignited the trade conversation in a way that demonstrates strength, not surrender.

Now, Congress must follow through.

Let’s end China’s trade privileges. Let’s codify appropriate tariffs into law. And let’s build a trade system where free trade is earned—not assumed—by free nations that follow the rules.

This is not about retreating from the world. It’s about shaping it. The choice is clear: protect American workers, secure our supply chains, and reclaim our economic independence. Let’s act—before the window closes.

###