A bill to eliminate tariffs on U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea and Japan, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) announced on Wednesday that she has introduced the Indo-Pacific Partner and Ally Tariff Repeal Act.
Tokuda, a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, argued that the bill would reaffirm and strengthen U.S. alliances by removing unnecessary and counterproductive tariffs affecting 40 countries. This includes South Korea and Japan (15% tariff), the Philippines (19%), and Taiwan (20%).
She criticized the imposition of tariffs on allies, stating that as the Chinese Communist Party escalates its economic coercion and military threats, the U.S. must not send mixed signals to its allies. Tokuda emphasized that such tariffs run counter to U.S. security and economic interests.
Highlighting the negative impact of tariffs on American consumers and businesses, Tokuda asserted that this bill will bolster U.S. security commitments to allies and support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The bill has garnered support from other Democratic co-sponsors, including Representatives Dina Titus (NV), Daniel Goldman (NY), Jim Costa (CA), André Carson (IN), Ted Lieu (CA), and Ed Case (HI).