Swalwell Praises WTO Decision on China’s Improper Export Restraints

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the top Democrat on its Energy Subcommittee, today released the following statement after the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body affirmed an earlier finding that China's export restraints on rare earth elements violated international trade rules:

"I applaud the World Trade Organization Appellate Body for its decision, and I want to thank Ambassador Froman for pursuing this case to a successful conclusion. I urge my colleagues in Congress to see this as a call to action regarding China's control of the world's rare earth elements. China still produces 90 percent of this vital resource. These elements are crucial to everything from cell phones to jet engines to radar systems, and it's time we get serious about securing our supply of them.

"This is why I introduced H.R. 1022, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act. My common-sense bill would strengthen our research and development focus in this area to finally ensure that the U.S. has a strategic plan for securing crucial rare earth and energy critical elements. Unfortunately, even though it had bipartisan support, including from Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), it was defeated last month on the House Floor at the urging of outside right-wing groups. I ask my Republican colleagues interested in protecting our national and economic security to work with me to develop a bill that can pass the House which will get America ‘in the game' on energy critical elements."

Swalwell is the sponsor of H.R. 1022, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act of 2014, which would authorize and improve federal efforts to secure energy critical elements, of which rare earth elements are a subset. The bill was defeated on the House Floor last month by House Republicans after it was opposed by Heritage Action and Club for Growth. While it secured 260 votes, a majority of the House, under the rules by which it was considered it needed a two-thirds majority of the House to pass.