Sen. Carlos Moreno (R‑TX) on Sunday called on Republican members of Congress to pass legislation that would codify the tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum imposed by former President Donald Trump, which the Biden administration has since lifted.

What the Right Is Saying

Sen. Moreno argued the tariffs are essential to counter China’s unfair trade practices and protect U.S. jobs, stating in a press release that “America cannot afford to let a foreign adversary dictate the terms of our trade; codifying these duties secures our manufacturing base.”

"America cannot afford to let a foreign adversary dictate the terms of our trade; codifying these duties secures our manufacturing base," Moreno said in a press release. [The Hill]

House Republican Conference Chair Kevin McCarthy (R‑CA) echoed Moreno’s call, noting that the administration’s rollback “undermines the leverage we gained under the previous administration and emboldens China’s dumping practices.”

What the Left Is Saying

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D‑WA) and the Senate Finance Committee said the tariffs increase prices for American families and that codifying them would be a step backward; in a statement Cantwell said the measures “raise the cost of everyday goods without delivering a clear benefit to American workers.”

Progressive members of the House, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D‑MN), argued the tariffs disproportionately hurt low‑income households and called for investments in clean‑energy manufacturing instead of punitive trade measures.

What the Numbers Show

The tariffs introduced in 2022 covered roughly $3.5 billion in Chinese steel and aluminum imports and imposed an average duty of about 25%, according to data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the tariffs cover roughly .5 billion in Chinese steel and aluminum imports. [USTR]

U.S. Census Bureau data show that average consumer prices for steel‑related goods rose 1.2% in 2022, while the Manufacturing ISM index slipped 0.5 points, indicating modest pressure on domestic producers.

The Bottom Line

If codified, the tariffs could become permanent unless Congress repeals them, affecting import costs and potentially shaping future trade negotiations with China; the debate is expected to surface in upcoming trade‑policy hearings before the House Ways and Means Committee.