Sessions' Statement on Administration's Decision to Include Semiconductors in Tariffs on Chinese Goods

I issued the following statement expressing my disappointment in the Trump Administration's decision to include semiconductors in the second round of finalized tariffs on Chinese imports:

As Co-Chairman of the Semiconductor Caucus, it has been my goal to ensure Texas companies that rely on semiconductor equipment and materials, like Texas Instruments, have their voices heard here in Congress. I am extremely disappointed that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has chosen to include semiconductors in their sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports after I, and nearly 50 of my colleagues, expressed our concern that including semiconductor and semiconductor equipment would negatively impact American innovators and have zero impact on Chinese companies, completely failing to accomplish the goal of these tariffs. I have had numerous meetings with the Trade Ambassador on this specific topic and will continue to work to find more targeted and effective strategies that do not jeopardize the future of American workers and put our economic prosperity in harms-way.

In late July, I led a letter to USTR Ambassador Robert Lighthizer urging the Administration to remove semiconductor, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and related products from the 301 tariff action.