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The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade Ranking Member emphasizes the importance of checks and balances, trade agreement enforcement, and economic competitiveness.

By Ellie Gustafson

Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) speaks at Center Forward’s Trade Summit on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) opened Center Forward’s inaugural Trade Summit with remarks focused on the future of U.S. trade policy, Congress’s role in shaping trade decisions, and the importance of maintaining a bipartisan approach to America’s economic challenges.

Speaking to business leaders and invested trade stakeholders, Congresswoman Sánchez underscored the importance of preserving checks and balances. She highlighted the role of the courts in reviewing executive actions and argued that congressional oversight remains an essential component of effective trade governance.

Congresswoman Sánchez addressed the challenges many small businesses and companies face as they navigate tariff refunds, and encouraged those affected to continue engaging with policymakers and sharing their experiences. The Congresswoman stressed that stakeholder engagement is critical to helping Congress understand the real-world impacts of trade policy decisions on businesses, workers, and consumers.

Throughout her remarks, Congresswoman Sánchez emphasized the need for a more stable and predictable trade environment, advocating for a trade agenda centered on expanding economic opportunity and strengthening American competitiveness.

A key focus of her remarks was the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), stressing the importance of renewing and strengthening the partnership. At the same time, Congresswoman Sánchez emphasized that trade agreements must be backed by robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that commitments are upheld and that American workers and businesses compete on a level playing field. Looking ahead to the upcoming USMCA review process, the Congresswoman called for bipartisan congressional engagement and oversight.

Congresswoman Sánchez also highlighted the growing importance of economic competition with China, describing it as an issue that transcends party lines. She emphasized the need for a unified, bipartisan strategy to address China’s economic practices and protect U.S. interests.

Her remarks set the stage for a productive look ahead as discussions on trade, economic security, and global competitiveness, reinforcing the importance of bipartisan cooperation in shaping America’s economic future, continue in the halls of Congress.