For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
China. The Senate approved July 14 the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (S. 65), which would prohibit all imports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China unless U.S. Customs and Border Protection can certify that the goods are not produced with forced labor (in whole or in part) and submits to Congress a report outlining such a determination.
CTPAT. S. 2322 (introduced July 13 by Sen. Cornyn, R-Texas) would create a pilot program allowing up to ten non-asset-based third-party logistics providers to become certified in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.
Pharmaceuticals. The Using Sovereignty to Reduce Rx Act (H.R. 4376, introduced July 9 by Rep. Arrington, R-Texas) would create a pharmaceutical negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative “to stop foreign countries from taking advantage of American medical innovation” and ensure that they “pay their fair share of the costs associated with developing new treatments.”
The Stop Importation and Manufacturing of Synthetic Analogues Act (S. 2351, introduced July 15 by Sen. Grassley, R-Iowa) would allow substances to be temporarily or permanently added to a new category of controlled substances (Schedule A) if their chemical structure is substantially similar to an existing controlled substance and they are expected to have the same or greater effect on the human body. Grassley said this bill would apply existing criminal penalties to importers, exporters, and manufacturers of Schedule A substances.
Origin labeling. S. 2332 (introduced July 13 by Sen. Booker, D-N.J.) and H.R. 4421 (introduced July 13 by Rep. Khanna, D-Calif.) would require country of origin labeling on beef, pork, and dairy products.
Trade agencies. The Senate Finance Committee voted July 13 to approve Sarah Bianchi and Jayme White as deputy USTRs. Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, noted that several other senior USTR positions remain unfilled, including chief intellectual property rights negotiator, chief agricultural negotiator, and ambassador to the World Trade Organization.
H.R. 4476 (introduced July 16 by Rep. Meijer, R-Mich.) would codify two existing entities with the Department of Homeland Security: the Trade and Economic Security Council and the position of assistant secretary for trade and economic security.
Copyright © 2024 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.