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 Tariffs for Terrorism Act (S. 4761, introduced July 24 by Sen. Graham, R-S.C.) would require the president to identify countries that purchase, trade, consume, or import crude oil or petroleum products from Iran and subsequently impose tariffs on products imported into the U.S. from those countries.
Enforcement. The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 9151, introduced July 25 by Reps. Hinson, R-Iowa, and Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.) would direct the Department of Justice to establish a new structure dedicated to prosecuting international trade crimes like fraud, duty evasion, and transshipment. It would also provide for training and technical assistance to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, expand investigations and prosecutions, and allow for parallel criminal and civil enforcement actions.
China. The Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies with Taiwan Act (S. 4789, introduced July 25 by Sen. Sullivan, R-Alaska) would require the imposition of comprehensive economic, energy, financial, and other sanctions on China if its army initiates a military invasion of Taiwan. Sanctions would include restrictions on imports of China-produced goods and a prohibition on U.S. financial institutions making any investments in a Chinese entity that benefits or is affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.
Americas. Dozens of House Democrats wrote to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai July 20 urging her to use the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity initiative to terminate investor-state dispute settlement liability under the free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties the U.S. maintains with 9 of the 11 current APEP participants. ISDS “allows foreign investors to challenge good-faith domestic policymaking in the public interest by alleging that such policies violate a trade deal’s expansive investor protections,” the letter asserted, and ISDS complaints are adjudicated by “industry-friendly arbitration tribunals” that “can require governments to pay enormous sums to foreign investors with no recourse to appeal.” The lawmakers noted that the Biden administration has committed not to pursue future trade or investment deals that include ISDS but that most of the U.S.’ 40 BITs and 14 FTAs still contain ISDS provisions.
Europe. H.R. 9123 (introduced July 24 by Reps. Keating, D-Mass., and Lamborn, R-Mass.) would encourage increased trade and investment between the U.S. and the countries in the Western Balkans.
Boycotts. The Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act (S. 4770, introduced July 25 by Sen. Risch, R-Idaho) would prohibit federal agencies from contracting with companies engaged in a boycott of Israel.
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