With international trade tensions growing by the day, it makes sense that several lawmakers advanced resolutions for a vote on U.S. withdrawal from the World Trade Organization in May, but it isn’t good news for America. The move could significantly weaken our ability to influence international trade rules, putting producers and consumers at a serious global disadvantage. And as the world struggles to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and recover from its economic fallout, the results from withdrawal could make matters worse.

Proponents of withdrawal, such as Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Democratic Reps. Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Frank Pallone of New Jersey, claim that the WTO has been instrumental in China’s increasing economic power, hurting American interests along the way. These claims are misguided. The WTO brings a breadth of free trade benefits, and leaving it would do nothing to constrain or challenge China.