SEATTLE, Wash. – Lori Otto Punke, President of WCIT, issued the following statement regarding the ongoing U.S.-China trade war that was further escalated over the past few days:
“A stable U.S.-China trading relationship is critical for the Northwest. In Washington state alone, 40 percent of all jobs are tied to imports, exports, or digital trade, and exports represent 7.2 percent of Washington state’s GDP. China is the top export destination for Washington state and the second-highest for Oregon.
“Additionally, access to critical minerals is, well, critical, for manufacturers in the Northwest, including aerospace, semiconductors, EVs, healthcare, industrial-grade lasers, optics, networking, and more.
“The renewed escalation in U.S.–China trade tensions underscores how fragile that stability remains. We are encouraged by reports that Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to meet soon. Their willingness to sit down offers a critical opportunity to turn the page on a cycle of tariffs, retaliatory measures, and uncertainty that have weighed on both nations’ economies and disrupted global markets.
“It is in the interest of both the United States and China—and of the global economy—for these discussions to yield a swift, constructive resolution. Prolonged tensions risk undermining supply chains, inflating costs for American businesses and consumers, and eroding the competitiveness of exporters in trade-reliant states like Washington.
“WCIT continues to urge both governments to prioritize diplomacy and long-term solutions that strengthen, rather than fracture, global commerce.”
For additional resources, please see several WCIT publications:
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act Tariffs: The Impact on Washington State
- What Do the Tariffs Against Canada, Mexico, and China Mean for Oregon?
- WCIT Northwest Trade Dashboard to track quarterly trends in key indicators
- Tariff Reductions Can Bring Inflation Relief
- Tariffs, US-China Tensions Impacting Washington State Trade
- The Pacific Northwest Global Trade Hub Report
- The Future of Trade: Positioning Washington State for Economic Growth in the Next Decade
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WCIT is the Northwest’s premier organization advocating for trade and investment policies that increase the competitiveness of Northwest workers, farmers, and businesses. Our diverse membership includes small and medium-sized companies, Fortune 500 businesses, and agricultural producers that together represent industries ranging from manufacturing, food, and retail to technology and science.