Republican lawmaker aims to stop China from ‘ripping off’ Americans

Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Ia., is leading the charge in Congress to give the Department of Justice the necessary tools to combat China’s trade crimes. The congresswoman’s Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act has garnered bipartisan support as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle come together to address the threats posed by China.

China-based companies have been engaging in a variety of illicit activities, including the theft of American businesses’ intellectual property (IP) and the flooding of the market with cheap, low-quality products. In addition to IP theft, Chinese companies are also evading U.S. tariffs through transnational shipping, further harming American businesses and workers.

“This is about protecting America’s bottom line, because the bottom line is China has been ripping off our businesses and our workers for decades,” Rep. Hinson emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital. “We need to enforce our laws and ensure that those who violate them face consequences.”

Rep. Hinson’s legislation aims to establish a DOJ task force dedicated to investigating and prosecuting trade-related crimes, providing a mechanism for enforcing U.S. law. One company that has been directly impacted by Chinese IP theft is CQ Medical, a healthcare innovation company specializing in radiotherapy. A China-based company with U.S. headquarters in Ohio has allegedly been undercutting CQ Medical by offering inferior products at a fraction of the price. This has led to consumer confusion as the China-based company uses nearly identical product names.

The consequences of Chinese trade crimes are severe, with American companies like CQ Medical facing unfair competition and American consumers at risk of receiving substandard products. Rep. Hinson stressed the importance of pushing back against China’s illicit trade practices to protect American companies, workers, and consumers.

The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act passed the House in December 2024 and is set to be reintroduced in the current congressional session. Rep. Hinson is determined to see the legislation become law and put an end to China’s harmful trade practices that cost the U.S. economy billions, if not trillions, of dollars each year.

In conclusion, Rep. Hinson’s efforts to combat China’s trade crimes are crucial in safeguarding American businesses, workers, and consumers from the detrimental effects of IP theft and unfair competition. It is imperative that lawmakers come together to provide the DOJ with the necessary tools to tackle these issues effectively.