Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Tina Smith have introduced the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act, a bill aimed at strengthening U.S. trade remedy laws to combat unfair trade practices and protect American workers. The legislation seeks to enhance the U.S. trade remedy system by addressing repeat offenders and responding specifically to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which subsidizes China-based companies operating outside of China.

Senator Young emphasized the need for this legislation by stating, "Our bill will protect American jobs and combat China’s unfair trade practices." He highlighted how China's actions have distorted the free market, harming American businesses and workers. Senator Smith echoed these concerns, noting that foreign competitors like China have engaged in practices undermining domestic industries and threatening national security.

The proposed bill is co-sponsored by several other senators including Tommy Tuberville, Amy Klobuchar, Lindsey Graham, Ruben Gallego, Tom Cotton, Tammy Baldwin, Roger Wicker, Jon Fetterman, Jim Banks, Elizabeth Warren, Eric Schmitt, Kirsten Gillibrand, Bernie Moreno, and Katie Britt.

Initially introduced in 2023 by Young and former Senator Sherrod Brown as an update to the original Leveling the Playing Field Act of 2015, this new legislation aims to establish "successive investigations" to better address circumvention efforts from foreign actors attempting to undercut U.S. industries.

The act targets China's predatory economic behavior that has led to significant economic impacts on American workers. Industries affected include steel manufacturing as well as those producing engines, furniture, hardwood plywood, pipes and tubes among others.

Support for the bill comes from various industry associations such as the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), and Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). Kevin Dempsey of AISI praised the bill for its potential to strengthen trade laws crucial for protecting American steel jobs. Philip K. Bell of SMA stressed that current antidumping laws are outdated after three decades without major revisions. Betsy Natz of KCMA highlighted how unfairly traded imports from China have adversely affected their industry over recent years.

Companion legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Beth Van Duyne and Terri Sewell.