Lower Bucks Today

WASHINGTON, DC – In a move to address disparities in U.S. trade policy, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Brad Wenstrup, Mike Carey, Ruben Gallego, Lou Correa, and Carol Miller have introduced H.R. 8059, the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Parity Act, aimed at preventing U.S. trade policy from favoring foreign e-commerce distribution operations over domestic ones.

The bill seeks to rectify the current situation where e-commerce shipments from outside the U.S. are given special treatment compared to domestic shipments. Congressman Fitzpatrick emphasized the need for parity in U.S. trade laws, stating, “E-commerce shipments from outside the United States should not be afforded special treatment compared to shipments from inside the U.S.”

Congressman Wenstrup highlighted the importance of aligning trade and foreign policy to benefit American businesses, saying, “Our current trade policy counterintuitively benefits adversaries like China, and causes the loss of American jobs and opportunity. I believe it's important for our trade and foreign policy to align.”

Congressman Carey underscored the significance of updating trade rules for the 21st-century economy, stating, “For nearly a century, U.S. Foreign Trade Zones have supported American jobs... I’m proud to join Representative Wenstrup in this effort to keep America competitive.”

Echoing these sentiments, Congressman Gallego emphasized the importance of supporting U.S. jobs and strengthening the supply chain, stating, “Foreign Trade Zones are vital to the strength of our supply chain and for supporting U.S. jobs.”

In response to the introduction of the bill, Jeff Tafel, President of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones, expressed gratitude and highlighted the intended impact of the legislation on providing parity to U.S. FTZs, stating, “We recognize the ongoing dialogue associated with de minimis entry and this legislation is intended solely to provide parity to U.S. FTZs based on whatever action Congress ultimately takes where de minimis is concerned.”

The U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Parity Act aims to level the playing field for U.S.-based operations distributing from FTZs, ensuring the retention of American jobs and fostering economic growth within the United States.