For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
First sale. The Last Sale Valuation Act (S. 3841, introduced Feb. 11 by Sens. Cassidy, R-La., and Whitehouse, D-R.I.) would eliminate the first sale rule, which allows import duty to be paid on the price a middleman trading company pays the manufacturer instead of the higher price the importer pays the trading company. More information, including about ST&R’s effort to form a coalition opposing this bill, is available here.
Tariffs. The House approved Feb. 11 a joint resolution that would terminate the national emergency President Trump used as the basis for imposing tariffs on imports from Canada under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This action is seen as largely symbolic, as there does not appear to be enough support to override an anticipated veto by the president. However, the House was only able to take the vote because several Republicans voted against a measure that would have delayed it again.
The Respect NATO Allies Act (H.R. 7557, introduced Feb. 12 by Reps. Sanchez, D-Calif., and Turner, R-Ohio) would require congressional approval for the imposition or alteration of certain tariffs, duties, quotas, or tariff-rate quotas with respect to articles imported from a NATO ally.
Customs. The Fighting Trade Cheats Act (S. 3808, introduced Feb. 9 by Sens. Britt, R-Ala., and Baldwin, D-Wis.) would (1) increase civil penalties for fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws, including on persons affiliated with those who commit such violations, (2) exclude those who have committed such violations from participating in the importer of record program, and (3) allow businesses or other interested parties to bring civil actions for customs fraud enforcement.
Imports. The Rare Eart Magnet Market Revitalization Act (H.R. 7563, introduced Feb. 12 by Reps. Tokuda, D-Hawaii, and Dunn, R-Fla.) would prohibit the importation of certain rare earth magnets from covered nations. It would also (1) ensure that U.S. companies use U.S. or allied sources for rare earth magnets when possible, (2) keep valuable electronic waste in the U.S. so it can be recycled into new magnets, (3) help U.S. manufacturers by providing government-backed purchase agreements or price support as new supply chains are built, and (4) require the Department of Commerce to advise Congress on whether this approach should be expanded to other critical materials.
Cuba. The U.S.-Cuba Trade Act (H.R. 7521, introduced Feb. 12 by Rep. McGovern, D-Mass.) would lift the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.
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