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 Secure Trade Act (H.R. 4978, introduced Aug. 15 by Reps. Golden, D-Maine, and Steube, R-Fla.) would (1) codify a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imported goods, (2) create a separate category of tariffs for imports from China, including a 35 percent tariff on non-strategic goods and a 100 percent tariff on strategic goods (e.g., jet engine parts, microdrones used for agricultural and military purposes, and freeze dryers used to preserve sensitive medications), both phased in over five years, and (3) expand the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to block foreign investments from entities connected to countries of concern in both new and existing facilities or businesses.
The Toll of Tariffs Act (H.R. 4962, introduced Aug. 12 by Rep. Scholten, D-Mich.) would direct the International Trade Commission to report to Congress within six months on the inflationary impact of the tariffs imposed by certain executive orders.
The Joint Economic Committee – Minority released a report finding that “the economic uncertainty stemming from President Trump’s tariffs has already directly harmed the U.S. manufacturing sector and could cost the U.S. more than $490 billion in manufacturing investments by 2029.”
Exports. President Trump signed into law Aug. 19 the Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act (H.R. 1316), which requires the Bureau of Industry and Security to annually report to Congress on license applications, enforcement actions, and other requests for authorization for the export, reexport, release, and in-country transfer of items subject to the EAR to covered entities. A covered entity is any entity that is (1) located or operating in a country listed in Country Group D:5 (those subject to U.S. arms embargoes) and (2) included on the Entity List or the Military End-User List. Reports must include specified information, including the name of the entity submitting the application, where the item is being exported, the decision with respect to the license application or authorization, and information on related enforcement activities.
H.R. 5022 (introduced Aug. 22 by Rep. Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.) would require congressional approval for the export of advanced artificial intelligence semiconductors to China.
Foods. The Ban Harmful Food Dyes Act (H.R. 5027, introduced Aug. 22 by Rep. Meng, D-N.Y.) would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem adulterated food containing specified dyes and petroleum-based additives.
Sens. Scott, R-Fla., and Britt, R-Ala., asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in an Aug. 21 letter to “take immediate aggressive action” against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, including by “imposing the toughest possible sanctions on seafood” imported from China and other nations that “continue to abuse human rights on the high seas.”
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