For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
De Minimis. S. 4082 (introduced April 9 by Sens. Braun, R-Ind., and Baldwin, D-Wis., would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to (1) increase accountability relating to articles receiving duty exemptions for de minimis entries and (2) require regulations on enhanced data collection with respect to such entries.
Tariffs. H.R. 7864 (introduced April 2 by Rep. Van Duyne, R-Texas) would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to treat certain goods as unused merchandise for drawback purposes.
The Pink Tariffs Study Act (H.R. 7927, introduced April 10 by Rep. Fletcher, D-Texas) would require a study on the manner and extent to which U.S. import tariff rates are regressive or demonstrate a gender bias.
Exports. The Export Controls Enforcement Improvement Act (S. 4085, introduced April 9 by Sens. Romney, R-Utah, and Hassan, D-N.H.) would establish the Export Enforcement Coordination Center in the Department of Homeland Security. A press release from Romney’s office states that this bill would focus enforcement efforts on critical national security matters such as the unlawful transshipment and diversion of exports to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as well as sensitive technology involving semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. It would also require an assessment of the value of increasing the number of law enforcement officials posted in foreign countries focused on export controls. The Senate Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight held a hearing on this bill and related issues the same day.
China. Six Democratic senators wrote to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai April 10 in support of a petition seeking a Section 301 investigation of the “predatory practices” China has engaged in to benefit its transportation, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The senators called these practices “a leading contributor to the decimation of America’s commercial shipbuilding capacity,” which they said has significant implications for “the U.S. economy and national security.” USTR is expected to decide whether to initiate an investigation in the next few weeks.
Nine Democratic senators sent a letter to USTR Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo April 9 urging them to “take decisive action to block the entry of Chinese automobiles into the American market.” Specifically, the letter called for increasing import tariffs on Chinese autos, expediting an ongoing review of existing Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, and continuing to strengthen enforcement of U.S. trade agreements to ensure Chinese autos “are not reaping the benefits.”
GSP. H.R. 7967 (introduced April 11 by Rep. Smucker, R-Pa.) would modify statutory provisions relating to withdrawal, suspension, or limitation of country designation under the Generalized System of Preferences.
AGOA. The AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act (S. 4110, introduced April 11 by Sens. Coons, D-Del., and Risch, R-Idaho) would (1) reauthorize the African Growth and Opportunity Act until 2041, (2) streamline the AGOA eligibility review process to ensure that any enforcement action is timely, fair, and clearly communicated, (3) integrate AGOA with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to support the development of intra-African supply chains, and (4) incentivize AGOA beneficiaries to develop a strategy to increase exports under the program.
Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act (H.R. 7962, introduced April 12 by Reps. Miller, R-W.V., and Panetta, D-Calif.) would establish a commission to deliver recommendations on options for congressional action to advance U.S. long-term trade competitiveness and economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taxes. The Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act (H.R. 7933, introduced April 10 by Rep. Schakowsky, D-Ill., and S. 4098, introduced April 10 by Sen. Sanders, I-Vt.) would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to, among other things: (1) end the rule allowing U.S. corporations to pay a lower or zero tax rate on offshore earnings compared to domestic income, (2) close loopholes allowing U.S. corporations to shift income between foreign countries to avoid U.S. taxes, and (3) prevent multinational corporations from stripping earnings out of the U.S. by manipulating debt expenses.
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