For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
China. Dozens of members of Congress wrote to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai Oct. 18 urging the “swift conclusion” of USTR’s Section 301 investigation of China’s acts, policies, and practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors and the consideration of “strong and effective remedies” in response. The petition on which this investigation is based did not request that such remedies include higher tariffs on imports from China, as has often been the case in Section 301 proceedings, but instead called for the U.S. to impose fees on vessels built in China that dock at U.S. ports and to take other steps to increase demand for U.S.-built vessels. The lawmakers encouraged USTR to “conclude that China’s predatory actions demonstrate a clear and unambiguous intent to dominate global markets” and to “implement resolute measures” to counter those actions that are “commensurate in scope and magnitude to the large-scale harm caused to U.S. industry over the past several decades.”
Separately, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) wrote to USTR Tai on Oct. 23 urging her to accept a petition requesting a Section 301 investigation into China’s role in the fentanyl crisis. USTR’s decision is not required until early December, but Baldwin said USTR should act “expeditiously” to initiate a full investigation because “the actions of [China] have left hundreds of thousands of Americans dead” and “it has become obvious that [China] will not voluntarily crack down on its fentanyl producers and exports.”
Pesticides. The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act (H.R. 9981, introduced Oct. 11 by Rep. Nadler, D-N.Y.) would prohibit the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide containing the herbicide atrazine, which is derived from oil and gas.
Kazakhstan. Rep. Panetta, D-Calif., recently reiterated his call to extend permanent normal trade relations status to imports from Kazakhstan. “Kazakhstan is a respected member of the World Trade Organization and a reliable partner in implementing U.S. sanctions and export control regimes,” Panetta said. “Strengthening our trade relationship with Kazakhstan has the potential to open a new trading partner for critical minerals and other resources while fostering greater investment and diplomatic ties between our two nations.”
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