A long-term step to reaffirm America's independence, legislation was introduced in Congress to remove the United States from the World Trade Organization (WTO).
House Joint Resolution 93 (HJRes. 93) entitled “Rescission of the approval of the contract establishing the World Trade Organization” was introduced by US representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.). Co-hosted by 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 states that “Congress will withdraw its approval under Section 101(a) of the WTO Agreement as defined in Section 2(9) of the Act.” The Uruguay Round Agreement Act, enacted by Congress in 1994, established the US membership of the WTO, officially established on January 1, 1995. 93 completely withdraws the US from the WTO.
In a press release of the law, Tiffany declared:
The WTO repeatedly overlooked China's unfair trade practices and human rights abuses, weakening American farmers and manufacturers and eroding national sovereignty. American trade policies should be carried out by American officials who are elected by American voters and are responsible for American workers who are not determined by unelected international bureaucrats in Geneva. It's time to pursue a better approach to trade. This is when we put American industry, employment and economic independence first.
It has been 20 years since Congress last voted on whether to continue membership in this deeply flawed organization. Americans deserve to know whether elected officials are standing with them or with Chinese allies in the WTO.
This is not the first time a law has been introduced to withdraw the US from the WTO. For example, in 2020, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-RORE.) introduced the same resolution SJ res. 71 and HJ Res. 89. As reported by the then-New Americans, Holy also announced the New York Times Opade, which calls for the WTO to be abolished.
Restoring American sovereignty
WTO membership is detrimental to US sovereignty. Global Body explains on its website, “WTO is not a specialized UN agency, but since its establishment it has maintained a strong relationship with the UN and its institutions.” Furthermore, the WTO and the United Nations have a formal agreement to promote “a cooperative relationship between the two organisations.” Therefore, the WTO effectively functions as the United Nations' “World Trade Ministry.”
The WTO has repeatedly ruled on US policies, even forced Congress and state legislatures to respond to their will. For example, in 2015, Congress repealed the Opalis Sign (Cool) Act in response to a WTO ruling declaring the law illegal under WTO rules. Additionally, in 2018, the Washington Legislature abolished Boeing's state tax credits to comply with WTO rules.
Rather than allowing foreign officials to decide national federal and state policies, Congress should defend America's establishment principles and restore American sovereignty by enacting the HJ Res. 93 – And patriotic Americans should work to create the educated and revitalized voters needed to make long-term change.
To encourage your US representatives and senators to take us out! For more information on the World Trade Organization, see the John Birch Association legislative warning here.
