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 Deficit Elimination Act (S. 5315, introduced Aug. 6 by Sen. Scott, R-Fla.) would (1) require the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to identify and publish each year a list of trading partners that run a trade deficit with the U.S., (2) authorize USTR to adjust tariffs on imports from these countries as needed to “close the gap,” (3) permit exemptions for products critical to national security, essential supply chains, and goods that cannot reasonably be produced in the U.S., and (4) authorize USTR to negotiate trade agreements with these countries to shrink individual trade deficits through commitments to reform trade practices, buy more U.S. goods, or limit exports.
The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act (S. 5339, introduced Aug. 6 by Sen. Alsobrooks, D-Md.) would exempt school supplies and educational materials from most tariffs, including the latest Section 301 tariffs. Specific goods to be exempt would include office and school supplies; backpacks; notebooks, memorandum pads, and similar paper products; children’s picture, drawing, and coloring books; calendars; computer keyboards; hairbrushes; pencils, crayons, chalk, and other drawing materials; and pens, markers, and related writing instruments. This bill would also allow Congress to disapprove the designation of specific items for tariff exemptions through a joint resolution of disapproval.
The Senate approved Aug. 7 the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (H.R. 5334), which would direct the president to (1) increase duty rates on imports from Russia to as much as 500 percent and (2) impose up to 100 percent tariffs on goods imported from the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas (with an exception for countries importing less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural gas exports and taking significant steps to reduce those imports) or the top five facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion. The bill would also impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, including state-owned enterprises and foreign companies.
Trade preferences. The Senate passed Aug. 7 legislation (H.R. 6500) that would extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Haiti HELP and HOPE acts through Dec. 31, 2028.
Exports. S. 5380 (introduced Aug. 7 by Sens. Husted, R-Ohio, and Warner, D-Va.) would provide for a ten-year statute of limitations for export control violations under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018.
IPR. The Senate amended and approved Aug. 7 S. 2677, which would expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade.
Drugs. The Use Sovereignty to Reduce Rx Act (S. 5265, introduced Aug. 5 by Sen. Sheehy, R-Mont.) would direct USTR to (1) establish the position of chief pharmaceutical trade negotiator, who would identify foreign price controls on drugs innovated in the U.S., (2) compile and release an annual report on the policies and practices of high-income countries relating to the trade of pharmaceutical products, and (3) submit to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees a plan to respond to the policies and practices of high-income countries, which may include initiating an investigation under title III of the Trade Act of 1974.
Rail freight. S. 5294 (introduced Aug. 6 by Sen. Ernst, R-Iowa) would require all railroad freight cars operating on the U.S. general railroad system of transportation to meet certain manufacturing and content requirements.
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