Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, and Congressman Mike Turner (R-Ohio), head of the U.S. delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly, today introduced the Respect NATO Allies Act, a bill to require congressional approval for any new tariffs imposed on North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies.
The bill was introduced ahead of the Munich Security Conference, the annual international forum held in Munich, Germany, where political leaders, military officials, and experts, including many from NATO countries, gather to discuss global security challenges.
“NATO is the United States’ greatest strategic alliance and the relationship with our transatlantic allies must be preserved,” said Ranking Member Sánchez. “This is a simple bill. Congress has constitutional authority over trade and any new tariffs against our closest friends and allies should require congressional approval to protect those relationships and our national security.”
“NATO is a cornerstone of America’s national security, and at a moment when Russia and China are testing our resolve, we should be strengthening Allied unity,” said Congressman Turner. “Congress must re-claim its role in trade relations with our NATO allies, keeping faith with the alliance that keeps America safer and protects strategically vital regions like the Arctic, while also protecting American workers and manufacturers.”
In January, President Trump threatened to impose 10 percent tariffs on eight NATO countries – Denmark, the UK, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands – over their opposition to the United States’ threat to annex Greenland. The tariffs could have risen to up to 25 percent. The president withdrew the tariff threat after reaching a framework for a potential agreement regarding Greenland and the Arctic region.
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