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. S. 3722 (introduced March 1 by Sen. Wyden, D-Ore.), S. 3717 (introduced March 1 by Sens. Cassidy, R-La., and Brown, D-Ohio), and H.R. 6905 (introduced March 2 by Rep. Rice, R-S.C.) would withdraw permanent normal trade relations treatment from products of Russia. “Permanent normal trade relations are extended to countries as they join the World Trade Organization and agree to abide by rules that ensure a level playing field in international trade,” Wyden said. “Removing normal trade relations will raise tariffs on Russian goods and send a message that unprovoked invasions of a foreign nation will not be tolerated in any arena.”
The No Trading With Invaders Act (S. 3725, introduced March 1 by Sens. Portman, R-Ohio, and Cardin, D-Md.) would withdraw PNTR from products of countries that commit acts of aggression in violation of international law against other countries or territories. It would also permanently reauthorize the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which authorizes the president to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in major human rights abuses and acts of corruption.
Trade agreements. The Trading System Preservation Act (S. 2708, introduced Feb. 28 by Sens. Portman, R-Ohio, and Coons, D-Del.) would authorize the president to enter into plurilateral trade agreements within the WTO with benefits only applying to signatories. This authorization would apply to agreements regarding e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, environmental goods, services, and any sector subject to substantial interference by a foreign government, including through excessive subsidies or state-owned enterprises. A press release from Portman’s office said this bill “would help reinvigorate the WTO, which has been hamstrung for years by a small handful of members obstructing negotiations.”
Russia. A raft of new measures would ban imports of crude oil and petroleum products (and, in some cases, natural gas and coal) from Russia. These include S. 3718 (introduced March 1 by Sen. Marshall, R-Kan.), H.R. 6886 (introduced March 2 by Rep. Latta, R-Ohio), S. 3754 (introduced March 3 by Sen. Markey, D-Mass.), S. 3757 (introduced March 3 by Sen. Manchin, D-W.V.), H.R. 6916 (introduced March 3 by Rep. Carter, R-Ga.), H.R. 6919 (introduced March 3 by Rep. Cole, R-Okla.), and H.R. 6939 (introduced March 3 by Rep. Van Drew, R-N.J.). The Biden administration has opposed such restrictions but as of March 7 may be softening that position in the face of increasing congressional support.
The Special Russian Sanctions Authority Act (S. 3723, introduced March 1 by Sen. Cassidy, R-La.) would place sanctions on senior military and government officials in Russia, put Russian President Vladimir Putin on the U.S. terrorist list, provide $10 billion in military aid to Ukraine, and create a Russian sanctions coordination unit to work with U.S. government agencies to coordinate seizure of Russian assets.
H.R. 6890 (introduced March 1 by Rep. Young, R-Alaska) would prohibit Russian vessels from operating in U.S. navigable waters.
Ocean carriers. The Ocean Shipping Antitrust Enforcement Act (H.R. 6864, introduced Feb. 28 by Rep. Costa, D-Calif.) would repeal certain antitrust exemptions for ocean common carriers. “By applying federal antitrust laws to foreign ocean shipping companies,” a press release from Costa’s office said, “this change unties the hands of current and future administrations to take stronger actions to defend American exporters from unfair trade practices like unjustified container rate increases, exorbitant detention and demurrage fees, unexplained changes in shipping schedules, and ships leaving ports with empty containers rather than filling them with American agricultural goods.”
Boycotts. The Israel Anti-Boycott Act (H.R. 6940, introduced March 3 by Rep. Zeldin, R-N.Y.) would protect U.S. companies from being coerced to provide information to international organizations for the purpose of furthering boycotts against Israel and hold individuals who attempt to violate this protection accountable.
Rare earth minerals. The No Profits for Taliban-Controlled Mines Act (H.R. 6859, introduced Feb. 28 by Rep. Bost, R-Ill.) would prohibit the use of rare earth minerals originating from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in U.S.-sold and -manufactured components.
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