U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Friday applauded President Trump’s decision to ensure steel and aluminum tariffs paid by U.S. businesses while a product exclusion request is pending will be returned if the exclusion is granted.
“Narrowing these tariffs and providing flexibility to American businesses is critical to maintaining our nation’s economic momentum, and this is another step in the right direction,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This commonsense decision will ensure American manufacturers aren’t forced to pay an unnecessary tax on products for which they are granted an exclusion. Now that the tariffs have taken effect, I will be closely monitoring any impact on local manufacturers and continuing to work with the administration to protect Hoosier jobs.”
BACKGROUND
President Trump on Thursday issued proclamations modifying the tariffs on aluminum and steel that took effect Friday. The proclamations ordered that tariff relief for products that cannot be obtained domestically or are vital to national security will be retroactive to when the request was submitted.
Congresswoman Walorski last week led 15 of her Ways and Means colleagues in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urging retroactive relief for companies that successfully petition for product exclusions from the tariffs. In testimony Thursday before the committee, Secretary Ross said the Commerce Department has made a formal request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to put tariffs paid while an exclusion request is pending into an escrow account so they can be returned if the exclusion is granted.
Walorski previously sent a letter to President Trump expressing concerns with his tariff proposal and sharing feedback from local manufacturers. She also signed a letter, along with 106 of her House Republican colleagues, urging the president to target unfair trade practices rather than impose blanket tariffs.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
