Trade groups representing three strong exporting sectors -- soybeans, semiconductors and medical devices -- and an expert in critical minerals trade all told the Senate Finance Committee that higher tariffs on all countries and products, and constantly changing tariff policy, aren't good for American competitiveness.
Washington state punches above its weight in goods exports, and exported $57.8 billion worth of goods in 2024, including $40.7 billion in manufactured products. Some 45% of those manufactured exports are Boeing planes and aerospace parts.
Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Chris Coons, D-Del., introduced a bill May 13 aimed at speeding up arms shipments to Taiwan to help the country defend itself against China.
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., announced May 14 that he has reintroduced a bill that would bar federally funded private companies, as well as U.S. government agencies and federally funded universities, from conducting research with Chinese military-linked entities on such sensitive technologies as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum computing and aerospace. The Preventing PLA Acquisition of U.S. Technology Act would also require the Defense Department to maintain a public list of restricted Chinese entities and technologies. Then-Rep. Banks and then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., previously reintroduced the bill in the last Congress.
The Senate Commerce Committee voted 17-11 May 14 to approve former Energy Department official Paul Dabbar to be deputy commerce secretary, sending his nomination to the full Senate for its consideration. Asked in written questions whether he would ensure the Bureau of Industry and Security has the resources necessary to do its job, Dabbar said he would ensure the Commerce Department, including BIS, “completes its mission.” He also said he would work to "tighten export controls on critical and emerging technologies."
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a leading congressional advocate of the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) security partnership, announced May 13 that he has been named co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Australia Caucus.
House Select Committee on China ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., said May 13 that he’s concerned the potential transfer of advanced U.S. computing chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could allow the sensitive technology to fall into China’s hands.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., reintroduced a bill April 30 that would authorize the State Department to sanction Vietnamese officials complicit in human rights abuses, such as torture and the suppression of religious freedom. The Vietnam Human Rights Act was referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees. The bill has received five previous House approvals -- in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2012 and 2013 -- but has stalled in the Senate each time.
A bipartisan group of five senators urged the Trump administration May 9 to use “all available tools” to hold foreign entities accountable for fueling Sudan’s two-year-old civil war.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., urged the Trump administration May 12 to impose additional sanctions on those fueling unrest in Haiti.