Legislative Update: Tariffs, Imports

For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.

Tariffs. The Trade Relief for American Development and Employment Act (H.R. 10759, introduced Oct. 6 by Rep. James, R-Mich.) would establish a tariff-funded program to protect U.S. manufacturers, workers, farmers, and supply chains from disproportionate economic harm resulting from tariffs and foreign retaliatory measures.

H.R. 10929 (introduced Oct. 29 by Rep. Hoyle, D-Ore.) would impose a 50 percent duty rate on hemp products imported from China and establish mandatory testing requirements for all imports of certain cannabinoid products.

Imports. H.R. 10866 (introduced Oct. 22 by Rep. Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.) would amend the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act to prohibit the Office of Foreign Assets Control from issuing a waiver with respect to importation of Russian energy products.

The Stopping Legalized Organized Trafficking and Harm to Sloths Act (HR. 10867, introduced Oct. 22 by Rep. Frost, R-Fla.) would prohibit the importation of certain species of sloth, with exceptions for deceased sloths imported for documented research and captive sloths transferred to Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions for breeding programs, provided they were not taken from the wild after enactment. Violations could carry civil penalties of up to $20,000, criminal fines of up to $100,000 for knowing violations, cancellation of federal authorizations, and forfeiture of illegally imported sloths.