For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
Agro exports. The Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act (S. 3915 and H.R. 7670, introduced Feb. 25 by Sens. Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and David Valadao, R-Calif.) would make key improvements to the annual U.S. Specialty Crop Trade Issues Report to more effectively identify and combat unreasonable trade barriers.
The proposed changes would (1) explicitly require participation and engagement from USTR; (2) highlight specific trade barriers that limit the export competitiveness of specialty crops in specific markets, including tariff and non-tariff barriers; (3) include an assessment of whether each trade barrier is subject to a U.S. FTA or international agreement; (4) include specific information with respect to actions taken, or expected to be taken, by the U.S. government to address or resolve each trade barrier; and (5) require a request for comment from both the public and the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.
Energy efficiency. The House of Representatives approved Feb. 24 legislation introduced July 23, 2025, by Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga. (H.R. 4626) that would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing any new or amended energy conservation standard for a product that is not technologically feasible and economically justified.
Energy storage systems imports. The Countering Harmful Adversarial Rechargeable and Generative Energy Act (H.R. 7635, introduced Feb. 20 by Rep. Gregory Steube) would prohibit the importation of certain energy storage systems made by entities within China.
Foreign investment screening. The Securing Partner Supply Chains Act (H.R. 7675, introduced Feb. 25 by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas) would require the Secretary of State to establish an Initiative on Foreign Investment Screening to (1) provide technical assistance, training, and advisory services to foreign countries regarding best practices for screening foreign investments for national security risks to such countries; (2) facilitate coordination among U.S. agencies, the private sector, partner countries, and civil society to promote investment security standards; (3) support the development and implementation of foreign investment screening mechanisms in partner countries through regulatory guidance and information sharing; (4) assess the progress of partner countries in establishing robust investment screening mechanisms; and (5) conduct outreach and capacity-building efforts to enhance global awareness of investment security risks.
IEEPA tariff refunds. Introduced Feb. 24 by Sen. Ron Wyden, S. 3905 would provide for the refund of duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Product safety. Introduced Feb. 25 by Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, H.R. 7685 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to specify that hair straightening or smoothing products containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasing substances will be considered adulterated.
Tariff exclusions. The Housing Tariff Exclusion Act (S. 3943, introduced Feb. 26 by Sens. Rosen, D-Nev., and Chris Coons, D-Del.) would automatically exclude homebuilding materials from the Trump administration’s current and future tariffs and allow importers to apply for tariff exemptions on homebuilding materials that are not automatically exempted.
Tariffs on agro products. The Tariff Free Farming Act (H.R. 7716, introduced Feb. 25 by Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii) would prohibit the imposition of additional tariffs on agricultural products from countries to which the U.S. has extended normal trade relations.
Trade remedies. The Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act (S. 3913, introduced Feb. 25 by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.) would help mitigate the negative impacts of unfair trade practices on targeted businesses by establishing a team within the Commerce Department that is solely focused on analyzing trade data trends and listing potentially disturbing trade patterns for formal investigations, with an emphasis on cases impacting small- and medium-sized businesses.
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