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 Senate amended and reported Jan. 25 the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency Act (S. 1863), which would direct the Department of Energy to study and report on the greenhouse gas emissions released during the production of various commodities in the U.S. and other countries. A Politico article said this study “could help pave the way to impose carbon tariffs” on imported goods if it shows “U.S. companies’ relative carbon advantage.”
Exports. The Export Control Enforcement and Enhancement Act (H.R. 7151, introduced Jan. 26 by Rep. Wagner, R-Mo.) would (1) provide for expedited consideration of proposals for additions to, removals from, or other modifications with respect to entities on the Entity List and (2) establish a presumption of denial for all license applications to export items controlled for national security reasons to countries under a U.S. arms embargo.
The Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act (H.R. 7176, introduced Jan. 31 by Rep. Pfluger, R-Texas) would eliminate the requirement for the Department of Energy to authorize exports of liquefied natural gas and instead give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sole authority over the approval process.
Shipping. S. 3662 (introduced Jan. 25 by Sen. Lee, R-Utah) would repeal the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade.
Product Safety. The Consumer Advocacy and Protection Act (S. 3667, introduced Jan. 25 by Sen. Welch, D-Vermont, and H.R. 7096, introduced Jan. 25 by Rep. Schakowsky, D-Ill.) would increase civil penalties for violations of product safety standards by (1) eliminating the maximum penalty cap for a series of violations, (2) increasing the individual cap from $100,000 to $250,000, and (3) clarifying the types of offenses for which manufacturers can be fined and subjecting those penalties to the higher caps.
Latin America. The Caribbean and Latin America Maritime Security Initiative Act (H.R. 7209, introduced Feb. 1 by Reps. Peters, D-Calif., and Gimenez, R-Fla.) would provide for the establishment of this initiative to (1) authorize the Treasury Department to sanction individuals and entities involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in this region, (2) enhance cooperation between U.S. and regional maritime forces, and (3) strengthen partner countries’ law enforcement activities needed to counter IUU fishing in their waters.
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