Lawmakers Question Commerce on Tariff Policy for Non-Cooperating Firms
Reps. John Moolenaar and Ro Khanna asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick whether the department has altered its approach to maximum tariffs on foreign companies that decline to participate in dumping and subsidy investigations.
SemaforReps. , wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on June 10, 2026, asking whether the department has changed its policy of imposing maximum tariffs on foreign companies that refuse to cooperate with investigations into dumped or unfairly subsidized imports.
The lawmakers, who lead the House China committee, cited an example in which the administration allegedly reduced penalties on a company that did not participate in an investigation into Russian dumping of unwrought palladium.
“Lowering rates despite non-cooperation from foreign competitors sends a dangerous signal to bad actors: refusing to participate in the Department’s investigations may lead to more favorable outcomes than cooperation,” the letter stated. ” A bipartisan group of lawmakers share worries that the Trump administration is easing penalties on foreign companies potentially involved in dumping Chinese and Russian goods in the United States.
The letter was shared first with Semafor.
Commerce did not immediately return a request for comment.
