Peoria Standard

Congressman Darin LaHood recently addressed the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, emphasizing the need for U.S. leadership in digital trade. As co-chair of the Digital Trade Caucus, Rep. LaHood engaged with Jonathan McHale, Vice President of the Computer and Communications Industry, discussing the importance of reestablishing American influence in global digital trade policy.

Rep. LaHood expressed concerns about "the growing spread of restrictive and discriminatory digital trade laws allowed by the Biden administration" and highlighted "the ongoing threat of the Chinese Communist Party." He reflected on past achievements during President Trump's first term, stating: “During President Trump’s first term in office, the United States made great strides in establishing ourselves as a driving force on digital trade.”

He criticized recent developments under the current administration: “Our leadership in setting fair and effective rules for digital trade went the wrong direction, in my view, over the last four years under the Biden administration."

LaHood also commented on a new executive order signed by former President Trump aimed at protecting American innovators from discriminatory taxes imposed by Canada and European countries. The order targets measures like digital service taxes (DST) that are perceived to harm U.S. businesses.

“For far too long, foreign countries have targeted U.S. innovation and intellectual property,” said Rep. LaHood. He praised Trump's action to combat these challenges: “I commend President Trump for signing this executive order to directly address the imposition of digital service taxes and defend American innovation, businesses, and workers.”