Indy Standard

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Tina Smith have introduced the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act, aiming to strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws and address unfair trade practices impacting American workers. The proposed legislation seeks to improve the existing U.S. trade remedy system by responding to repeat offenders and targeting China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which provides subsidies to Chinese companies operating abroad.

Senator Young emphasized the need for this bill, stating, "Our bill will protect American jobs and combat China’s unfair trade practices." He criticized China's actions of distorting the free market through undervalued product dumping and industry subsidization. Senator Smith echoed these concerns, noting that foreign competitors like China have long engaged in practices undermining domestic industries.

The bipartisan effort has garnered support from several 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.

Originally introduced in 2023 by Young alongside former Senator Sherrod Brown as an update to a 2015 law addressing unfair competition threats, the new act introduces "successive investigations" to curb circumvention efforts undermining domestic industries.

Kevin Dempsey of the American Iron and Steel Institute expressed support for the bill: "By strengthening the effectiveness of our trade laws...this bill will help give...confidence that our government has every tool available to fight for a level playing field for the American steel industry."

Philip K. Bell from the Steel Manufacturers Association also praised the initiative: "American workers and industry have borne the brunt of these shortcomings in U.S. trade law enforcement." Betsy Natz from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association highlighted its importance for her industry: "These laws have ensured that our industry can compete now and into the future."

In addition to Senate backing, Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Terri Sewell are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.