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 Drones for First Responders Act (H.R. 8416, introduced May 15 by Rep. Stefanik, R-N.Y.) would impose new import tariffs on unmanned aircraft from China, starting at 30 percent and increasing by five percent annually, and use the revenue from those tariffs to establish a new grant program to help first responders, critical infrastructure providers, and farmers purchase non-Chinese drones. The bill would also establish a strengthened rule of origin requiring that imported drones not contain critical components made in China by 2030.
H.R. 8482 (introduced May 21 by Rep. Moore, R-Utah) would seek to deter conflict in the Taiwan Strait by establishing conditions for suspending normal trade relations with China.
Import restrictions. The Defending American Property Abroad Act (H.R. 8411, introduced May 15 by Rep. Pfluger, R-Texas) would prohibit trade partners in the Western Hemisphere from importing goods, docking vessels, and engaging in certain other activities if they have expropriated or otherwise seized property owned by U.S. entities. The bill would also require (1) the Department of Homeland Security to designate prohibited properties and provide regular reports to Congress on enforcement efforts and (2) various agencies to report on the economic and national security implications of actions taken by foreign trade partners.
Supply chains. The House of Representatives approved May 15 the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act (H.R. 6571), which would (1) establish a supply chain resiliency program within the Department of Commerce to map, monitor, and promote U.S. supply chains in critical industries and emerging technologies, (2) encourage private-public partnerships to promote resilient supply chains and respond to supply chain shocks among critical industries and emerging technologies, and (3) encourage the development and competitiveness of U.S. productive capacities and manufacturing in the U.S.
The Semiconductor Supply Chain Security and Diversification Act (H.R. 8414, introduced May 15 by Rep. Stanton, D-Ariz.) would direct the Development Finance Corporation (which primarily invests in low- and middle-income countries) to invest in downstream (critical mineral mining and processing) and upstream (testing and packaging) parts of the semiconductor supply chain in the Western Hemisphere regardless of the host country’s income classification. Stanton said this would help diversify those parts of the semiconductor supply chain away from China, develop stable jobs in Latin America, and complement investments made by the CHIPS and Science Act by creating a regional semiconductor ecosystem.
Forced Labor. H.R. 8495 (introduced May 22 by Rep. Duarte, R-Calif.) would ensure that electric vehicle companies do not use child or slave labor in the manufacture of, or sourcing of materials for, electric vehicles.
Ports. The Secure Smartports Act (S. 4369, introduced May 20 by Sen. Casey, D-Pa.) would require the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center to develop a strategy and conduct outreach to U.S. industry, including shipping companies, port operators, and logistics firms, on the risks of Chinese smartport technology.
Exports. H.R. 8501 (introduced May 22 by Rep. Jacobs, D-Calif.) would prohibit the issuance of licenses for the exportation of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates until the White House certifies that the UAE is no longer providing material support to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.
S. 4414 (introduced May 23 by Sen. Shaheen, D-N.H.) would improve the State Trade Expansion Program of the Small Business Administration.
Reshoring. The Bring Jobs Home Act (H.R. 8506, introduced May 22 by Rep. Pascrell, D-N.J.) would cut taxes for U.S. companies that move jobs and business activity to the U.S. from another nation and end a tax deduction for companies that outsource jobs and business activity.
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