China Trade Relations Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill would strip China of its normal trade relations status, effectively reversing the permanent trade deal China has enjoyed since 2000. This would likely trigger much higher tariffs on Chinese imports, raising prices on a wide range of consumer goods.
• For China to regain normal trade status, it would have to meet an extensive list of human rights conditions. These include ending the use of prison labor, shutting down concentration camps, stopping organ harvesting from prisoners, ceasing forced abortions, protecting Tibet's culture, and stopping economic espionage against the U.S.
• The President could temporarily waive these restrictions for 12 months at a time, but only after submitting a report to Congress explaining that the waiver would promote human rights objectives and that China has given assurances of future progress.
• Congress keeps a check on any presidential waivers. Lawmakers can pass a joint resolution of disapproval to block extensions, giving Congress the final say over whether China gets trade breaks.
• The bill would also bar China from participating in any U.S. government programs that extend credits, credit guarantees, or investment guarantees, cutting off financial support beyond just trade.