In a long-overdue step toward reasserting American independence, legislation to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been introduced in Congress.
House Joint Resolution 93 (H. J. Res. 93), titled “Withdrawing approval of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization,” has been introduced by U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.). It is co-sponsored by Representatives Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), and Tony Wied (R-Wis.).
This one-page resolution declares, “Congress withdraws its approval, provided under section 101(a) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, of the WTO Agreement as defined in section 2(9) of that Act.” The Uruguay Round Agreements Act, enacted by Congress in 1994, established U.S. membership in the WTO, which was formally established on January 1, 1995. Accordingly, H. J. Res. 93 would fully withdraw the United States from the WTO.
In a press release announcing the legislation, Tiffany declared:
The WTO has repeatedly overlooked China’s unfair trade practices and human rights abuses, undermined American farmers and manufacturers, and eroded our national sovereignty. American trade policies should be made by American officials who are elected by American voters and accountable to American workers, not dictated by unelected international bureaucrats in Geneva. It’s time to pursue a better approach to trade — one that puts American industry, jobs, and economic independence first.
It has been two decades since Congress last voted on whether to continue our membership in this deeply flawed organization. The American people deserve to know if their elected officials stand with them, or with China’s allies in the WTO.
This is not the first time legislation to withdraw the United States from the WTO has been introduced. In 2020, for example, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced identical resolutions S. J. Res. 71 and H. J. Res. 89. As The New American reported at the time, Hawley also published a New York Times op-ed calling for the WTO to be abolished.
Restoring American Sovereignty
WTO membership has been detrimental to U.S. sovereignty. The global body explains on its website, “Although the WTO is not a UN specialized agency, it has maintained strong relations with the UN and its agencies since its establishment.” Additionally, the WTO and UN have a formal agreement facilitating “cooperative ties between the two organizations.” As such, the WTO effectively functions as the UN’s “global trade ministry.”
The WTO has repeatedly ruled against U.S. policies, even occasionally forcing Congress and state legislatures to bend to its will. In 2015, for example, Congress repealed a country-of-origin-labeling (COOL) law in response to a WTO ruling declaring the law illegal under WTO rules. Additionally, in 2018, the Washington Legislature repealed a state tax break for Boeing to comply with WTO rules.
Rather than allow foreign bureaucrats to dictate domestic federal and state policies, Congress should defend America’s founding principles and restore U.S. sovereignty by enacting H. J. Res. 93 — and patriotic Americans should work to create the educated and activated electorate necessary for effecting long-term change.
To urge your U.S. representative and senators to Get US Out! of the World Trade Organization, visit The John Birch Society’s legislative alert here.