Hawley Introducing Resolution to Withdraw From WTO; Grassley Disagrees

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., announced that he's introducing a joint resolution that the U.S. should withdraw from the World Trade Organization. Such a resolution, if it were to pass, would not be binding.

“The coronavirus pandemic has exposed deep, long-standing flaws in our global economic system that demand reform. International organizations like the WTO have enabled the rise of China and benefited elites around the globe while hollowing out American industry, from small towns to once-thriving urban centers. We need to return production to America, secure critical supply chains, and encourage domestic innovation. Pulling out of the WTO is a good first step,” he said May 7.

After Hawley's announcement, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said the WTO needs reform, and that the U.S. needs to participate in that so it has “a leading role in setting global trade policy. Withdrawing from the WTO would only leave a vacuum for China to fill and diminish America’s position of strength.”

However, a committee chairman cannot block consideration of a joint resolution.