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Lighthizer to testify before Senate next week as trade war ramps up

by Niv Elis - 07/20/18 11:18 AM ET

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will testify before a Senate panel next Thursday, setting up what is likely to be an explosive hearing on American trade policy under President Trump.

Congress has been skeptical and wary of Trump’s moves to increase trade barriers and slap tariffs on allies, and several prominent members of the Senate, including Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) have floated legislation to tie the administration’s hands.

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Lighthizer will testify before the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for the Commerce Department.

Earlier on Friday, Trump said he was “ready to go” if he needed to impose tariffs on all $500 billion-worth of Chinese imports to the U.S.

Trump has already imposed tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese imports, plus tariffs on steel and aluminum, solar panels and dishwashers. Another $16 billion in tariffs are in the works for China, and Trump has directed his administration to look into further penalties on foreign cars.

China has retaliated with its own tariffs against U.S. exports, as have major trade partners affected by the tariffs, including Canada, Mexico and the E.U.

Tags Donald Trump Orrin Hatch Robert Lighthizer