For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
Trade enforcement. The House Judiciary Committee passed June 3 the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act (H.R. 1869, introduced March 5 by Reps. Hinson, R-Iowa, and Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.), which would strengthen the Department of Justice's enforcement against trade-related crimes by (1) establishing a new task force or similar structure within the DOJ’s Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes (e.g., criminal acts to further duty evasion), (2) enhancing nationwide responses to trade-related offenses by providing training and technical assistance to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, expanding investigations and prosecutions, and allowing for parallel criminal and civil enforcement actions, (3) requiring the DOJ to submit an annual report to Congress assessing its efforts, statistics on trade-related crimes, and fund utilization, and (4) authorizing funding for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts with appropriate guard rails.
Imports. The Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act (H.R. 9162, introduced June 4 by Rep. Stevens, D-Mich.) would (1) prohibit the entry into the U.S. of connected vehicles manufactured or designed in China or manufactured by a Chinese company or an entity in which Chinese companies have a greater than 15 percent stake, (2) establish a process by which manufacturers could apply for an authorization to allow otherwise prohibited vehicles to enter the U.S., and (3) require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop rules and procedures related to implementing these prohibitions, including a list of prohibited vehicles, within 90 days of the bill’s enactment.
Exports. The Secure Aluminum Supply Chains Act (H.R. 9161, introduced June 4 by Rep. Stevens, D-Mich.) would commission an International Trade Commission investigation into aluminum scrap exports to countries of concern and require the ITC to consult with domestic aluminum producers, metals recyclers, and unions representing workers involved in aluminum production.
Agriculture. The Expanding Market Access Act (S. 4654, introduced June 2 by Sen. Schiff, D-Calif.) seeks to expand U.S. agricultural producers’ access to foreign markets by providing technical assistance for infrastructure in foreign markets for U.S. commodities, mandating a report on the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, and increasing funding for the Market Access Program, which funds overseas marketing and promotional activities of U.S. agricultural products.
Seafood. The Shrimp Honesty and Responsibility in Import Monitoring Protocols Act (H.R. 9154, introduced June 4 by Rep. Mace, R-S.C.) would direct the Department of Commerce to develop within 18 months a methodology for identifying the country of origin of shrimp. A press release from Mace’s office states that this bill would also facilitate screening at ports of entry and enforcement of trade restrictions and customs duties.
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