Beyond Tariffs, Bennet Recommends his Bipartisan Americas Act to Boost Beneficial Trade, Reshore Manufacturing, and Safeguard National Security
Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet wrote to members of the incoming Trump administration including U.S. Department of State Secretary-designate Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary-designate Scott Bessent, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary-designate Howard Lutnick, National Security Advisor-designate Representative Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), and U.S. Trade Representative-designate Jamieson Greer to call for a comprehensive approach to international economic policy that goes beyond President-elect Donald Trump proposed tariffs.
“Targeted tariffs can be an important tool to combat unfair trade practices that undermine our ability to manufacture critical products at the necessary economies of scale. But indiscriminately wielding tariffs and other punitive policies would likely raise costs for Americans and fail to fully address the challenges facing our country,” wrote Bennet. “As you help President-elect Donald Trump craft his international economic policy, I write to encourage you to consider a comprehensive strategy beyond his proposed tariffs that includes additional policies to drive broad-based American growth, increase domestic and regional capacity, and protect U.S. national and economic security.”
In his letter, Bennet emphasizes that imposing sweeping tariffs will likely raise costs for Americans and not solve the challenges facing the United States. He calls on the administration to pursue supportive domestic policies like the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act – historic legislation passed under the Biden-Harris administration – and supportive international policies like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) signed under the previous Trump administration.
Additionally, he urges the incoming administration to pursue trade agreements and programs that advance U.S. interests – such as securing U.S. access to critical materials and competing with China. Specifically, Bennet highlights his and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.)’s bipartisan Americas Act, which would build upon the USMCA to drive shared economic prosperity, strengthen democracy in our hemisphere, counter the influence of China and Russia, and address some of the causes of migration.
“America cannot meet today’s challenges by building barriers and going it alone,” concluded Bennet. “I look forward to discussing these issues with you and stand ready to work with President-elect Trump’s administration to advance trade policies that serve the American people.”
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Sen. Rubio, Mr. Bessent, Mr. Lutnick, Rep. Waltz, and Mr. Greer:
As you help President-elect Donald Trump craft his international economic policy, I write to encourage you to consider a comprehensive strategy beyond his proposed tariffs that includes additional policies to drive broad-based American growth, increase domestic and regional capacity, and protect U.S. national and economic security. Strengthening our economic relationships with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) – among other regions – will increase U.S. economic dynamism, reinforce critical supply chains, deliver greater prosperity and opportunity for the American people, and tackle the problems of migration at their root.
Targeted tariffs can be an important tool to combat unfair trade practices that undermine our ability to manufacture critical products at the necessary economies of scale. But indiscriminately wielding tariffs and other punitive policies would likely raise costs for Americans and fail to fully address the challenges facing our country. These tools have an important role to play, but you must match them with supportive domestic and international policies.
These domestic policies include the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act, which continue to spur American manufacturing, support cutting-edge innovation, and ensure the United States leads the world in emerging technology. International policies include those President-elect Trump pursued during his first term, such as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the América Crece initiative to facilitate prosperity and security in the LAC region, the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, and productive trade talks with India.
But the United States must do more. We should pursue trade agreements and programs that serve U.S. economic and strategic interests – such as securing U.S. access to critical materials and competing with China in regions and sectors with national security importance. Unfettered trade has not and will not serve Americans’ interests. Trade, like tariffs, must be one instrument among many we must use to solve specific challenges, such as countering China’s dominance in critical sectors and securing essential supply chains.
One way to implement this strategy close to home would be through my and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)’s bipartisan and bicameral Americas Act – which would boost mutually-beneficial trade between the United States and LAC countries, bring manufacturing back to the United States and the Western Hemisphere, counter China’s economic coercion of LAC governments, and create pathways to economic security that stem illegal migration and transnational criminal organizations’ ability to recruit and inflict violence.
To ensure the U.S. continues to lead in the twenty-first century, trade policy must consider protective measures that foster domestic capacity and prevent illicit trade activities while also offering positive frameworks for increased cooperation with key allies and partners. America cannot meet today’s challenges by building barriers and going it alone.
I look forward to discussing these issues with you and stand ready to work with President-elect Trump’s administration to advance trade policies that serve the American people.