Hinson: “China Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Cheat Our Trade Laws at the Expense of American Workers"

Image September 1, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of her bipartisan bill, the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. This bipartisan legislation, which passed the House last night unanimously, will strengthen the Department of Justice's ability to detect and prosecute international trade crimes and ensure that Communist China is held accountable for tariff evasion, transshipment, forced labor, and other trade violations that have harmed American industry and workers. Watch here — Remarks as Delivered — "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of my bill, The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. "This bipartisan bill will finally hold China accountable for decades of evading U.S. trade laws through transshipment, duty evasion, and forced labor. "The CCP’s illicit practices are deliberately designed to take advantage of American workers and our businesses, undercutting American wages and gutting rural manufacturing towns that once thrived with good-paying jobs. "The Select Committee on China uncovered trade fraud by Chinese auto manufacturer Qingdao Sunsong. Sunsong was using transnational shipment to evade our U.S. tariffs, forcing an Illinois company to lay off a quarter of its workforce. "And just in May, a Canadian company—or actually two of them—paid the Justice Department $19 million after being caught evading customs duties for Chinese steel. "So this is not an isolated event, but rather, it's part of a broader strategy by the CCP to dominate global markets, and they're doing it on the backs of American workers while perpetrating egregious slave labor violations. "Despite the sheer volume of trade crime-related cases, the Department of Justice remains inadequately equipped to detect, investigate, and prosecute such offenses effectively. "So my bill will give the DOJ real tools to stop these blatant violations and ensure that penalties are meaningfully enforced. "American workers have felt pain for decades because of Communist China's malfeasance – now it’s time for Communist China to face the consequences. "This is a bipartisan opportunity to support American industry, reshore domestic manufacturing, and champion American workers. "So I’m proud to lead this commonsense legislation with tremendous support from both Republicans and Democrats, and I'm grateful to have the support of China Select Committee Chairman Moolenaar and Representative Krishnamoorthi on this bill — and I deeply appreciate their collaboration working to get this done. "There should be nothing partisan about delivering accountability for those who blatantly violate our laws and manipulate American workers. "We have seen good progress on reshoring domestic manufacturing, but it’s clear that current enforcement mechanisms aren’t strong enough and we have more work to do. So my bill will keep that momentum alive while fighting against the bad actors who will stop at nothing to undermine our country, our businesses, and our hardworking families. "So I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation supported by union workers, steel workers, and American workers, and I support this bill. "Thank you, I yield back." Read more about Rep. Hinson’s legislation to crack down on international trade crimes here . ###