To authorize the imposition of a tax on imports from any country that employs indirect taxes and grants rebates of the same upon export and to authorize compensatory payments to eligible United States exporters to neutralize the discriminatory effect of such taxes paid by such exporters if United States trade negotiating objectives regarding border tax treatment in World Trade Organization negotiations are not met.
Introduced: 6/6/2007 — 10 Cosponsors
Latest Major Action: 6/18/2007 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
The goal of our “free trade” agreements, such as the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), was to lower tariffs mutually in pursuit of worldwide free trade. The trouble is that it takes two to tango and we trade with at least 137 other countries that dance to a different tune. So far, free trade has been a one way street. We “freely” opened our markets to any junk any country wanted to sell here, while foreign markets remain closed to US industry.
When other countries reduced their tariffs, they simultaneously imposed border tax schemes, particularly Value Added Taxes (VAT), which add up to almost exactly the same amount as the tariffs that were supposedly reduced or eliminated. This sleight-of-hand trick is achieved by imposing VAT taxes on imports (a de facto tariff) and rebating VAT taxes on exports.
Look folks, think “globally” for a moment. Everybody else in the world can’t all be wrong! Perhaps, the US in this case, has made a mistake. H.R. 2600 will help rectify this just a little bit!
Congress has repeatedly tried to resolve this border-tax discrimination by good-faith negotiations with VAT countries. But other countries continue to say “no dice,” and the WTO turns a deaf ear. And, don’t get me wrong here. As sovereign nations – they have a right, they have the freedom of choice to say “no”.
This fuels the trade deficit, cripples U.S. competitiveness, and provides a powerful incentive for U.S. companies to shift production and jobs overseas. Thousands of U.S. companies have shifted production to nations that use a VAT where they avoid taxation. You can’t “blame” business. Their goal is to make profits! Less tax = More profit! So, who do you “blame”? It is the U. S. Trade Policy that is at fault!
Again – It is the U. S. Trade Policy that is at fault. The problem is not, nor has it ever been “lazy” Americans. Americans are the world’s most productive workers. Read this:
Many, many, times US trade representatives have complained to the WTO. The WTO’s refusal to address this discrimination proves its anti-American bias.
It’s time to speak up for American industry, American jobs, and you and I the American people!
And that is exactly what H.R. 2600: Border Tax Equity Act of 2007 does!
Let’s all help spread the word!
TOGETHER: We will make a difference!!
Those who do nothing soon find that they can do nothing.
Why don’t “we” take this on? Let’s as a “group” of people who care about the future of this nation make a goal of:
1. Get this bill out of “committee”, on the floor and get it debated.
2. Get our elected representatives to pass H. R. 2600.
Are you with us?
“Yes!”
Great! The time for action is upon us!
Right on the Issues that Matter 