Trump administration resisting exceptions to $200 billion in Chinese tariffs despite directive from Congress

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer indicated Wednesday that the administration was unlikely to allow businesses and trade groups to request exemptions from its tariffs against $200 billion Chinese goods, despite being directed by Congress to do so.

“I understand that there are people in Congress who want us to have an exclusion process,” Lighthizer said in an appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee. “It is something that we are looking at.”