For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
Export controls. In a Sept. 3 letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Sen. Rubio (R-Fla.) raised concern about “major weaknesses” in U.S. export controls that he said are enabling China’s military to “access cutting-edge semiconductor technology made in the U.S.” He urged the Bureau of Industry and Security to respond by adopting “a blanket ‘presumption of denial’ posture for export license applications that would send critical technology to any entity based in [China].”
Rubio also expressed worry that BIS’ “lethargic [current] posture stems from a problematic and deep-seated belief among bureaucrats that increased trade, of any kind, is universally good for American interests” and asserted that Raimondo has the responsibility “to change that culture.”
Labeling. The American Consumer Awareness of National Source Act (introduced Aug. 13 by Reps. Harder, D-Calif., and Van Orden, R-Wis.) would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that required country-of-origin labeling for any agricultural product packaged in a can must be on the front label or top of the can.
Mexico. A bipartisan group of ten members of the House called on U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in a Sept. 4 letter to ensure that any constitutional reforms enacted by Mexico’s Congress do not conflict with that country’s obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. “Many of the proposed reforms appear likely to compromise access for U.S. investors to a stable, predictable, and unbiased regulatory framework,” the letter said. “We are also concerned by any efforts by the Mexican Government to ban or limit certain extraction methods, curtail lithium exploration, restrict electricity operations and permitting, restrict imports of genetically modified corn, or abolish independent regulatory bodies. Such policies would undermine North American competitiveness and create a challenging environment for relevant businesses that seek to operate under USMCA rules in Mexico.” The lawmakers asked Tai to respond by Sept. 20 to a number of related questions, including how the reforms would impact U.S. businesses and investors and what USTR’s long-term strategy is for protecting market access for U.S. industries if the reforms are enacted.
Ports. In a recent report the Senate’s Joint Economic Committee called for increased federal investments in U.S. land ports of entry to “make commercial trade more efficient” and “meet today’s volume of personal and commercial crossings.” The report highlighted a particular need for further investment at southern border ports, noting that only six of the 26 LPOEs designated for modernization under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are in that area despite the fact that it features six of the top ten LPOEs in terms of container truck crossings. According to the report, recent research shows that a 10-minute reduction in wait times at these ports could lead to an additional $26 million in commercial cargo entering the U.S. each month.
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