WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced legislation to establish an Inspector General (IG) at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The USTR is responsible for developing and negotiating the U.S.’s trade policy, including tariffs, and is one of the few cabinet-level agencies without an IG.
“Our tariff and trade policy should bring manufacturing back to the U.S., support the working class, and hold countries accountable for unfair trade practices – not enrich billionaires at the expense of hardworking Americans,” said Senator Gallego. “The Trump Administration has a history of setting up a tariff exemption process that gives preference to donors and millionaires who can hire lobbyists over small Arizona businesses and workers who can’t. The lack of accountability and transparency in our current system make it clear that it’s past time for an Inspector General at the U.S. Trade Representative.”
Senator Gallego’s bill would amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish an Inspector General of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The president would be required to appoint a nominee for the position no later than 120 days after the legislation’s enactment.
A study of the tariff exclusion process the first Trump Administration set up found that political contributions raised the likelihood of a company receiving a tariff exclusion.
Meanwhile, small businesses often stressed that they did not know how to navigate the red tape or contract with lobbyists. Reports from the Department of Commerce IG and the Government Accountability Office have called for greater transparency when it comes to tariff exclusion decisions, citing “appearance of improper influence in decision-making” and “inconsistencies” in decisions at Commerce and USTR.
Amid the chaos and confusion of the Trump Administration’s so-called “Tariff Liberation Day,” the need for this legislation is clear.
Full text of the legislation can be read HERE.