Bryan Riley
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"This is not going to lead to any economic Armageddon for us." 😱 (USTR Jamieson Greer)
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Articles by Bryan Riley
Opinion | Jobs at proposed Iowa steel mill come at too high a cost
Federal officials recently announced plans for a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics factory in Iowa. The White House said the factory will employ 1,750 steelmakers and eventually produce 10 million tons of steel per year. Politicians credited steel tariffs for the new factory. As President Trump put it, “Everyone’s building their plant here because they don’t want to pay tariffs. It’s really not that complicated.” kAm~C :D :En !FEE:?8 2 d_T E2C:77 @?
Jobs at proposed Iowa steel mill come at too high a cost | Opinion Original
Bryan Riley is director of the Free Trade Initiative at National Taxpayers Union. Federal officials recently announced plans for a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics factory in Iowa. The White House said the factory will employ 1,750 steelmakers and eventually produce 10 million tons of steel per year. Politicians credited steel tariffs for the new factory. As President Trump put it, “Everyone’s building their plant here because they don’t want to pay tariffs. It’s really not that complicated.” Or is it?
Trump’s Trade Deficit Is up Again, and It Doesn’t Matter
Trade statistics released today show the August U.S. trade deficit in goods and services was $105.6 billion, up 13.7% from July, 77% from a year ago, and 48.4% from August 2024. The trade deficit under President Trump has increased whether compared to last month, 12 months ago, or 24 months ago under President Biden. The Trump Administration should respond by pointing out that growing trade deficits are nothing to worry about.
Good News for Taxpayers: the Trump Administration Rolls Back Some China Tariffs
The United States and China have identified $60 billion in combined trade that could benefit from reduced tariffs. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer announced, “President Trump is unlocking improved market access for about 30 percent of U.S. exports to China, while benefiting consumers with imports from China of household goods, toys, and other products.” Improving market access will benefit U.S. exporters, who suffered a 29% drop in sales to China from 2024 to 2025.
Proposed Diesel Export Ban Is Small Potatoes. Go Big!
Warning: The following is satire. Its logic, however, is borrowed from people who aren't joking. Faced with skyrocketing diesel prices, some politicians have called for a ban on diesel exports to bring down prices for Americans. This is a brilliant and long-overdue idea, but it suffers from a big flaw. It doesn’t go nearly far enough. Diesel exports are small potatoes compared to the massive volume of exports produced by Americans every year.
Lowestoft Sea Week 2026 at the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club Original
Lowestoft Sea Week 2026 at the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club by Jenny and Bryan Riley 24 Aug 09:27 BST A glorious Sea Week, hosted by the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, was enjoyed from Sunday to Thursday by at least 60 sailors in Squibs and Broads One Designs. Visitors from USA, Sweden and Finland joined the mostly Broadland sailors who came from clubs at Barton, Oulton and Wroxham Broads as well as Waldringfield.
USTR’s Confused Defense of Section 122 Tariffs
We would all like to follow the rules and laws we wish existed instead of the ones that actually exist. That’s just what the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is trying to pull off in its defense of Section 122 “balance-of-payments” (BoP) tariffs. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court disallowed President Trump’s massive “Liberation Day” tariffs in a 6-3 decision. The decision should have saved taxpayers from hundreds of billions of dollars a year in illegal tariffs.
A Surefire Way to Boost U.S. Exports
Earlier this year, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer bragged about the impact of the Trump Administration’s policies on exports: “If you look at January, February and March of this year, U.S. exports were over $300 billion in each month. Those are the highest figures in 250 years of American history. This doesn’t happen organically.
Peter Navarro Is Right about Capital Goods Imports, and Here’s What to Do about It
Let’s give credit where credit is due: Peter Navarro, President Trump’s Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, recently shared a wise insight about trade figures released by the federal government this week: The latest trade report delivers a simple but powerful message. America is importing more of what it needs to rebuild at home . . . A record share of imports consists of capital goods: machines, equipment, and industrial inputs needed to expand production here at home.
Weak Export Numbers Should Concern President Trump and Congress
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is clearly excited about the just-released U.S. trade statistics for April. However, a closer look at the data shows more reasons for concern than celebration. Trump advisor Peter Navarro added: “[T]he composition of trade is moving in precisely the right direction. Exports of goods and services hit a record $327.1 billion in April. Goods exports alone reached a record $221.3 billion.
Takeaways from Recent U.S.-China Trade Deals
Details of the Trump Administration’s recent deals with China have yet to be released, but a few key goals have been announced by the White House. ✔ China will meet its 2025 pledge to buy 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in 2026, 2027, and 2028. This should be an easy goal to reach. With the exception of the trade war years of 2018–2019 and 2025, soybean exports to China topped that amount for every year since 2014.
Farm Bill Is a Missed Opportunity for Reform
April 30, 2025 **************************************************** National Taxpayers Union (NTU) urges all representatives to vote “No” on H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (the “Farm Bill.”) H.R. 7567 (the Farm Bill) is a missed opportunity to implement taxpayer-friendly reforms to farm safety net programs. NTU has encouraged Congress to include reforms that are largely missing from H.R. 7567.
Trump Is Right: Spare Farmers from Fertilizer Tariffs
When President Donald Trump imposed broad-based tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 earlier this year, he wisely exempted many fertilizer imports from the new duties. According to the White House Fact Sheet accompanying his tariffs, “Some goods will not be subject to the temporary import duty because of the needs of the U.S. economy.” Included on that list are fertilizers that cannot be produced in the United States in sufficient quantities to meet domestic demand.
What Have U.S. Officials Learned from Section 301 Tariffs on China?
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer will discuss the Trump Administration’s 2026 trade agenda at upcoming hearings held by the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.
Six Questions for USTR Jamieson Greer at House Appropriations Hearing
United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer is scheduled to testify before the House Appropriations Committee this week. Appropriations Committee members should take advantage of this hearing to review USTR’s current and proposed activities to determine whether its requested Fiscal Year 2027 budget increase is warranted. USTR requests an 8% increase in funding to support an additional 27 full-time equivalent employees.
Four Takeaways from the Court of International Trade’s Tariff Hearing
On February 20, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation imposing tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address “fundamental international payments problems.” Several small businesses and sued to block the tariffs. On April 10, the Court of International Trade (CIT) held a hearing to consider the lawsuits.
“Liberation Day” One Year Review: How Tariffs Handcuffed U.S. Farmers and Manufacturers
April 2, 2026, will mark the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs. Here are three things that happened after Liberation Day tariffs were imposed: ➡️ The trade deficit increased. The goal of Trump’s tariffs was spelled out in the title: Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits.
Congress Should Review Export-Import Bank Mission Creep
Hearing on Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Hearing Date: March 26, 2026 Bryan Riley Director, Free Trade Initiative National Taxpayers Union Submission for the Record I appreciate the opportunity to submit comments regarding the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2026 on behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), a nonpartisan citizen group founded in 1969 to work for less burdensome taxes, more...
Trump’s Jones Act Waiver Is a Wise Move to Ease Energy Supply Disruptions
President Donald Trump has waived the Jones Act for 60 days to mitigate supply disruptions resulting from conflict in the Middle East. This raises a fundamental question: why do policymakers regularly suspend this law during emergencies yet leave it in place the rest of the time? The Jones Act is an antiquated 106-year-old law officially known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 that places draconian restrictions on the use of ships to transport goods within the United States.
Export-Import Bank Needs Oversight, Fair-Value Accounting to End Mission Creep
Hearing on Oversight of the Export-Import Bank House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Hearing Date: March 18, 2026 Bryan Riley Director, Free Trade Initiative National Taxpayers Union Submission for the Record I appreciate the opportunity to submit comments regarding the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2026 on behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), a...
U.S. Should Hold Other Countries Accountable to Their WTO Commitments
Hearing on Advancing America’s Interests at the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference House Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on Trade Hearing Date: March 17, 2026 Bryan Riley Director, Free Trade Initiative National Taxpayers Union Submission for the Record I appreciate the opportunity to submit these comments on behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), a non-partisan citizen group founded in 1969 to work for less burdensome taxes, more efficient, accountable...
Can Tariffs Replace the Income Tax?
In his 2026 State of the Union Address, President Donald Trump said, “I believe the tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love.” Unfortunately, things are not that simple.
Better Targeted Farm Subsidies, Improved SNAP Cybersecurity Changes Would Improve Agriculture Bill
March 2, 2026 To: Members of the House Committee on Agriculture From: Bryan Riley, Director, Free Trade Initiative, National Taxpayers Union Re: NTU’s Views on March 3, 2026 Committee Markup On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, slated for consideration before the House Committee on Agriculture on March 3, 2026.
Why Supreme Court Ruled Against Trump's Tariffs, What Comes Next
The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled 6 to 3 rejecting tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The decision holds that the IEEPA law does not give the President the authority to, in the Court’s words, “unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.” Six justices held that the statute does not authorize the power.
CTS Technology Solutions Strengthens Cybersecurity Leadership with CMMC Registered Practitioner Designation
CTS Technology Solutions Strengthens Cybersecurity Leadership with CMMC Registered Practitioner Designation Earning the CMMC Registered Practitioner designation strengthens our ability to guide defense contractors through an increasingly complex compliance landscape.” DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, February 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CTS Technology Solutions, a leading cybersecurity organization and Managed Service Provider (MSP) headquartered in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, proudly announces...
House Should Vote to End Canada Trade "Emergency"
National Taxpayers Union (NTU) encourages all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.J. Res. 72, which would terminate the national “emergency” justifying tariffs imposed on Americans who import goods from Canada. Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have increased the average U.S. tariff on Americans who import goods from Canada from 0.1% in February 2025, just before IEEPA tariffs took effect, to 3.7% in November 2025.
Congress Should End the U.S.-Canada Trade "Emergency"
Congress should vote to end “emergency” tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Americans who import goods from Canada.
Trump administration wisely backtracked on shipping taxes. Let's make that pause permanent
The Trump administration made the right call last year when it paused proposed new taxes on shippers docking foreign-built vessels at US ports. This year, it should end the threat of new shipping taxes permanently. The shipping tax threat was initiated during the Biden administration when five labour unions asked the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to impose a “fee” on every Chinese-built ship docking at US ports. Read the full story here.
Trump administration wisely backtracked on shipping taxes. Let’s make that pause permanent
Head of National Taxpayers Union’s Free Trade Initiative says Maritime Action Plan should reject new taxes on shipping
The House of Representatives Should Not Change Its Rules to Circumvent the National Emergencies Act
The House of Representatives has an opportunity to overturn President Donald Trump’s several national emergency declarations and subsequently block his sweeping nonreciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The National Emergencies Act requires Congress to vote every six months on whether to end the alleged emergencies that underlie IEEPA tariffs, A resolution terminating a national emergency must be voted on within a specified number of days.
U.S. Trade Policy Should Reduce International Barriers, Protect U.S. Companies from Digital Service Taxes
View PDF January 13, 2026 Submission for the Record of Bryan Riley Director, Free Trade Initiative National Taxpayers Union Prepared for The Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on Trade United States House of Representatives Regarding “Maintaining American Innovation and Technology Leadership” Contact Information: Bryan Riley National Taxpayers Union and National Taxpayers Union Foundation 122 C Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20001 briley@ntu.org Founded in 1969, National Taxpayers...
Bills Would Boost U.S. Trade Ties with Haiti, African Nations
January 12, 2026 **************************************************** National Taxpayers Union (NTU) urges all representatives to vote “YES” on the AGOA Extension Act (H.R. 6100) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act (H.R. 6504). Their approval would strengthen U.S. economic leadership and benefit Americans. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension (HOPE) Act expired last year.
More Tariffs on Medical Supplies Will Needlessly Drive Up Health Care Costs
It doesn’t take a PhD in economics to understand that tariffs increase prices. A recent YouGov poll found that 73% of Americans think that tariffs imposed by President Trump have increased prices for the things they buy. That’s why the greatest threat to U.S. national security and health care affordability doesn’t come from imports, but from tariffs.
Four Questions for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, chaired by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), will hold a hearing on the Activities and Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Tuesday. Here are four possible questions Senators may consider asking Ambassador Jamieson Greer. High U.S. tariffs reduce the ability of our trading partners to earn dollars to spend on U.S. farm exports.
CTS Technology Solutions Continues Leadership In Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Readiness Solutions
CTS Technology Solutions Continues Leadership In Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Readiness Solutions Helping organizations strengthen cybersecurity, achieve CMMC compliance, and protect sensitive data with expert guidance and support.
Pause on Section 301 Taxes and Tariffs Is a Welcome Win for U.S. Ports and Businesses
View PDF TO: Office of the United States Trade Representative FROM: Bryan Riley, National Taxpayers Union RE: Suspending Section 301 Action for One Year: China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance Docket ID: USTR-2025-0274 DATE: November 7, 2025 National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is the oldest taxpayer group in the United States. We serve as the “Voice of America’s Taxpayers” and strive to represent their best interests before governments at all levels.
Three Taxpayer Takeaways from Supreme Court Tariff Arguments
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether the Trump Administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) will be allowed to stand. “Today’s arguments clearly showed the need for the Supreme Court to overturn the IEEPA tariffs,” Free Trade Initiative Director Bryan Riley said. Here are three key takeaways for taxpayers from today’s arguments. Tariffs are taxes.
467 Economists: Biggest Trade Threat Is If Tariffs Are Left in Place
View PDF In the case of Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, the Trump Administration’s submission to the Supreme Court of the United States argues that terminating its sweeping “national emergency” tariffs would have “catastrophic consequences for our economy.” This is backwards. The greater threat to the economy of the United States is not that the Trump Administration’s tariffs will be struck down, but that they will be allowed to remain in place.
Tariffs on Medical Supplies Harm Health Security, Increase Costs
View PDF To: Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security From: Bryan Riley Director, National Taxpayers Union Free Trade Initiative Subject: Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Personal Protective Equipment, Medical Consumables, and Medical Equipment, Including Devices Date: October 17, 2025 Docket No. 250924-0160 250924-0160 Founded in 1969, National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is the oldest taxpayer group in the United States.
Ending "National Emergency" Tariffs on Goods from Canada and Brazil Will Strengthen the U.S. Economy
View PDF NTU urges all Senators to vote “YES” on S.J.Res.37 and S.J.Res.81, joint resolutions terminating the national emergencies declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada and Brazil.
Safe Castle Sets the Standard for Structured Cabling Solutions, Powering the Future of Business Connectivity
Providing Businesses With The Backbone For Network Connectivity To Increase Efficiency, Communication & Collaboration Our goal is to deliver solutions that empower businesses to operate efficiently and securely while preparing their infrastructure to handle future growth and emerging technologies.” DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, October 2, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Safe Castle, a Veteran-Owned & Operated infrastructure technology leader, continues to establish itself as a trusted provider of...
Breaking Down the Latest Government Reports on Tariffs
Recent government data and reports provide valuable insights into how tariffs are affecting the U.S. economy.
Congress Should Not Redefine "Calendar Day" to Avoid Tariff Vote
On April 2, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to impose sweeping nonreciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Congress should now use its powers under the National Emergencies Act to place a check on these actions and prevent executive overreach. The Act requires Congress to vote every 6 months on whether to end a presidentially designated emergency.
Tariff Ruling Triggers Misguided Response
After a federal appeals court declared the Trump Administration’s $330-billion-a-year tariffs illegal, administration officials struck back.
Don't Let Pharma Tariffs Weaken Our National Security
The Trump Administration is reportedly planning to impose big new tariffs on pharmaceuticals supplied primarily by U.S. allies. The tariffs would be imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to restrict imports that threaten to impair U.S. national security. However, in this case, it is tariffs, not imports, that threaten U.S. national security. Pharmaceutical tariffs in particular would weaken our ties with key U.S. allies.
If Left in Place, Tariffs Will Cost Taxpayers Trillions of Dollars and Decimate U.S. Exports
Previous tariff actions taken by the Trump Administration, added together with those announced today, impose a large and growing cost on U.S. taxpayers and exporters. Taxpayer Impact: Trump’s tariffs represent a massive $271.6 billion per year tax increase on Americans, based on the average of estimates from the White House, the Tax Foundation, the Penn Wharton Tariff Simulator, and the Budget Lab.
To Facilitate U.S. Competitiveness, USMCA Should Be Extended
TO: U.S. Senate Committee on Finance FROM: Bryan Riley, National Taxpayers Union 122 C St NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20001 703-683-5700 RE: Hearing: The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement: Evaluating North American Competitiveness, February 12, 2025 Statement for the Record DATE: February 12, 2025 I am Bryan Riley, Director of the Free Trade Initiative at National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Founded in 1969, NTU is the oldest taxpayer group in the United States.
USMCA Review Should Reduce Trade Barriers, Benefit Consumers
TO: Office of the United States Trade Representative FROM: Bryan Riley, National Taxpayers Union RE: Joint Review of USMCA Docket ID: USTR-2025-0004 DATE: November 3, 2025 I am Bryan Riley, Director of the Free Trade Initiative at National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Founded in 1969, NTU is the oldest taxpayer group in the United States. We serve as the “Voice of America’s Taxpayers” and strive to represent their best interests before governments at all levels.
FY 26 Appropriations for Commerce, Justice, and Science Cuts Costs, Can Do Even More
View PDF July 23, 2025 The Honorable Tom Cole Chairman, House Appropriations Committee U.S. House of Representatives Dear Chairman Cole and Members of the Committee: On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our views regarding the FY26 appropriations markup for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill.
CTS Technology Solutions Leads the Charge in Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Employees
CTS Technology Solutions Leads the Charge in Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Employees Empowering People to Become The First Line of Defense for Companies Against Evolving Cyber Threats Equipping teams with ongoing, personalized, and practical training is essential to building a strong cybersecurity culture.” DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX, UNITED STATES, July 22, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CTS Technology Solutions, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based leader in cybersecurity and compliance, continues to...
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