On the recordJuly 27, 2023
I want to thank the Senator from Utah and the Senator from Maryland for putting forward this critical amendment ending China's developing nation status. The ability of countries to take advantage of ``special and differential treatment'' as it is called in the World Trade Organization--WTO--to skip out on meaningful obligations and upend the trade playing field has long concerned me and other members of the Finance Committee on both sides of the aisle. While I support the goal of the amendment, the language needs to be refined to effectively achieve that objective. I want to work with you in conference to ensure this amendment directs the U.S. Trade Representative to meaningfully address China's status at the WTO. The WTO has a unique and, frankly, antiquated form of governance and is long overdue for significant reform, including its treatment of major economies like China.
