Rhode Island Rep. tries to use royal charter to establish free trade zone
Rhode Island state representative Joe McNamara is advocating for the establishment of a free trade zone in the state,an initiative aimed at countering the effects of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. In a letter to Governor daniel McKee, McNamara argues that the governor has the authority to create such a trade zone based on a royal charter granted by King Charles II in 1663.He proposes potential locations for these zones, including the T.F. Green International Airport, the Port of Providence, and Quonset Industrial Park, while also suggesting free trade agreements with international car manufacturers. McNamara emphasizes Rhode Island’s ancient resistance to unfair trade practices, referencing past colonial actions against British trade mandates. this proposal comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing trade tensions, notably with China, which has retaliated against U.S. tariffs.
Rhode Island representative asks governor to use royal charter to establish free trade zone
Rhode Island Democratic state Rep. Joe McNamara wants to combat President Donald Trump’s tariffs by creating a free trade zone in the Ocean State.
In a letter addressed to Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee, McNamara called for the creation of a free trade zone in the state based on powers given to the governor by the Royal Charter established by King Charles II in 1663.
“The Royal Charter states, “Upon the lawful and civil occasions and to converse, and hold commerce and trade, with such inhabitants of other colonies peaceably. And lastly, we do for us our heirs and successors grant unto said Governor and their successors,” McNamara wrote. “The Royal Charter expressly gives your office the ability to establish free trade zones in the state of Rhode Island.”
McNamara suggested several possibilities for where the Commerce Corporation could establish free trade zones, such as a warehouse being built at the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, the Port of Providence, and the Quonset Industrial Park. McNamara also recommended establishing a free trade agreement with international car manufacturers.
The letter to McKee comes as Trump seeks to restructure global trading partnerships. On Wednesday, Trump put a 90-day pause on additional tariffs, leaving the baseline 10% tariffs in place after the stock and bond markets saw drastic declines. Following Trump’s announcement of the tariff pause, the stock market rallied, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring 8%, the S&P increasing by 9%, and the Nasdaq up by more than 12%.
However, Trump raised his tariffs on China to 125%. China has vowed not to “back down” and currently has an 84% retaliatory tariff against the U.S.
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“Our state has a long history of resisting unfair authoritative trade mandates and taxes,” McNamara wrote. “One only has to reflect back on our 252-year history to be reminded of the action that our early colonists took in 1772 when faced with an unlawful British vessel.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to McNamara’s office for comment.
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