U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Tammy Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Trade Law Enforcement Against Bad Actors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) led their colleagues in introducing the Fighting Trade Cheats Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. trade law enforcement and empower American manufacturers to take action against bad actors that engage in customs fraud.

“The Chinese Communist Party continues to be America’s greatest geopolitical and national security threat, and manufacturers across Alabama are paying the price as the CCP and other bad actors cheat Americans out of jobs, intellectual property, and opportunity,” said Senator Britt. “It’s past time we stand with our manufacturers and the hardworking families who depend on them for their livelihoods by giving them the tools needed to combat malicious trade practices. I am proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation that will allow manufacturers to take direct action against bad actors, onshore good-paying American jobs, and stop these manipulative practices.”

The bill takes aim at companies that dump foreign-made goods into the United States and would allow private companies to sue foreign producers that harm American companies. By allowing private companies harmed by trade cheats to use their own resources to fight back, the bill would help address customs fraud and protect American workers and American jobs. 

“In Wisconsin, our workers and manufacturers produce world-class products – and they deserve a fair shot to compete. But, too often, foreign companies and countries, like China, rig the system, undermine our companies, and put Wisconsinites out of work,” said Senator Baldwin. “That’s why I am proud to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to crack down on trade cheats like China, level the playing field for American workers, and move our Made in Wisconsin economy forward.”

“McWane Inc., and its 6,000 + team members in Alabama and across the country, commend Senator Britt for her leadership on the Fighting Trade Cheats Act and for sharing its commitment to American manufacturing and its resolve to fight imports that evade U.S. laws or enforcement actions,” said Charlie Hartman, McWane Inc.’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Transshipment schemes and other forms of trade fraud are undermining U.S. unfair trade laws by evading injury-remedying antidumping and countervailing duty orders, and perpetuating harms to U.S. manufacturers and their workers.  It is high time that U.S. enforcement tools are updated to better and more rapidly address customs fraud.” 

“Trade laws only work if they’re enforced. The Fighting Trade Cheats Act gives our government the tools it needs to hold bad actors accountable, stop duty evasion, and protect workers and industries that play by the rules,” said United Steelworkers President Dave McCall. “As we work level the playing field and sustain good union jobs across the United States, we applaud Sens. Baldwin and Britt’s efforts to pass this vital legislation.”

In addition to Senators Britt and Baldwin, the legislation is also co-sponsored by Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). You can read the full text of the bill here.

Senator Britt is a champion for American workers, families, and companies, supporting legislation that seeks to decrease the CCP’s threat to domestic industry. This includes the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, the Cutting-off Communist Profiteers Act, theRevitalizing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act of 2025, and more.

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