Graham proposes tariff on Chinese imports

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"If we get it on the floor for a vote, it'll pass, I believe," Graham said. "The question is 'Can we get it to the floor?' There are Democratic leaders and Republican leaders who are afraid to mess with this issue."

The trade relationship between the United States and China is affecting jobs in the Upstate, particularly in manufacturing.

Graham and five other senators, including Charles Schumer, a liberal Democrat from New York, first introduced the legislation last year in an attempt to force China to stop pegging its currency to the U.S. dollar.

The senators say China is manipulating its currency to make its goods less expensive in foreign markets and foreign goods more expensive inside its borders.

The bill went nowhere last year, but Graham isn't giving up. He said Wednesday that he will re-introduce it next week with more co-sponsors.

"I think China takes our words as empty threats," Graham said. "It's now time for deeds."

His renewed push for the legislation is the latest spark to fly from increasing trade friction between the two countries. A trade imbalance in favor of China is affecting U.S. employment, particularly in manufacturing-heavy regions such as the Upstate.

Textile companies in the Upstate such as Delta Woodside Industries and WestPoint Stevens have blamed Chinese competition for plant closings. Other Upstate manufacturers, including Kemet Corp., TechTronic Industries and Mettler-Toledo International, have moved assembly lines to China to cut costs or to be closer to customers.

Still other companies with local operations such as General Electric Co. have found new business in China as the communist country has opened its market to world trade.

South Carolina's other senator, Jim DeMint of Greenville, hasn't decided if he will join Graham in pushing for tariffs, said Wesley Denton, his communications director in Washington. DeMint is "looking at it, and he's talking with (Graham), but he hasn't made a decision right now," Denton said Wednesday.

DeMint, a Republican, sponsored the bill in the House last year when he was a congressman and hoping to be a senator. He remains concerned over China's trade practices and will work "to make sure we are operating on a level playing field," Denton said.

Rep. Bob Inglis, Greenville Republican, said he supports the tariff proposal and would be glad to introduce it in the U.S. House if nobody else does.

"It's a matter of standing for enforcement of existing laws and opposing illegal trade," Inglis said. "I think we should take action and not be namby-pamby about it."