House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith, R-Neb., and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., introduced the Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism (UNITED) Act, which authorizes the administration to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement with the U.K. in consultation with Congress.
Two Florida Republicans reintroduced a bill that would ban the importation of fresh citrus fruit from China. Rep. Greg Steube, a House Ways and Means Committee member, and Rep. Daniel Webster introduced the legislation again this week. “For too long, China has flooded the market with risky imports, threatening American farmers and food security. The U.S. Citrus Protection Act puts American agriculture first and ensures that we are not dependent on foreign adversaries for our food supply," Webster said in a press release announcing the bill.
A major rewrite of antidumping duty and countervailing duty laws, first introduced five years ago but only passed in one chamber (see 2203030053), was reintroduced this week by Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.
Jamieson Greer, the former chief of staff to the U.S. trade representative during the first Trump administration, was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 26, with a 56-43 vote. Five Democrats supported him, including both Michigan senators and Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and John Hickenlooper of Colorado. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted no.
A bipartisan bill introduced by members of the House Ways and Means Committee would make changes to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to facilitate trade in coins and medals. The bill, led by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, would have importers or buyers decare under oath that coins and medals were lawfully exported from the country where they were acquired, and the purchase was lawful, and that they aren't known to be "the direct product of illicit excavations" abroad after restrictions on exporting goods of this type were imposed.
Democrats from the Pacific Northwest, California, Illinois, New York and Colorado say wineries are already being harmed as province-run liquor stores in Canada ban American wines from their shelves due to the 25% tariff threat over migration, now in abeyance.
Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., reintroduced the Fighting Trade Cheats Act, which would allow domestic manufacturers to sue foreign producers for customs fraud. It would double penalties, and establish a five-year prohibition on importing products from past violators.
More than a fifth of House Democrats, led by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., asked President Donald Trump to reconsider broad tariffs on Canada and Mexico because of the inflationary impact they would have on housing construction.
All Senate Finance Committee Republicans, joined by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., voted on Feb. 12 to approve the nomination of Jamieson Greer to be the next U.S. trade representative. The vote was 15-12 in favor of the nomination.
Four senators, two from each party, reintroduced a bill that would authorize the U.S. trade representative, in consultation with Congress about objectives, to negotiate specialized trade agreements focused on critical minerals and rare earth elements. Those trade agreements also would need to get a vote of approval from Congress before they could enter into force.