The Congressional Research Service has updated its report (RS20871) entitled “Iran Sanctions” which discusses what appears to be a growing international consensus to adopt progressively strict economic sanctions against Iran to try to compel it to compromise on its further nuclear development.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report (R40502) on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and the evolving economic and strategic architectures of Asia.
On February 4, 2011, Senator Collins (R), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued a statement praising the recently announced U.S.-Canada border declaration. Senator Collins noted that the Government Accountability Office’s recent report found that the U.S. Border Patrol does not have the ability to detect illegal activity across approximately three-quarters of the northern border and she applauded Canadian Prime Minister Harper for highlighting this vulnerability and proposing solutions. (See ITT's 02/07/11 news, 11020729, for BP summary of U.S.-Canada border declaration.)
In response to the Treasury Department’s semi-annual report to Congress on exchange rates, Representative Levin (D), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, expressed disappointment with the Treasury’s decision not to name China a currency manipulator. Levin also announced plans to reintroduce legislation to give the Administration additional tools to deal with China’s currency manipulation. (See ITT's 02/07/11 news, 11020728, for BP summary of Treasury's report.) Levin’s statement available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.
On February 4, 2011, the Senate reached a unanimous-consent agreement providing that on February 7, 2011, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 223, to improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the U.S., provide modernization of the air traffic control system, and reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.
On January 25, 2011, Senator Ensign (R) introduced S. 108, the Affordable Footwear Act of 2011, to among other things, eliminate the duties on certain imported footwear articles that would provide significant benefits to U.S. consumers.
The Congressional Research service has issued a report (RS21123) on how Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) could affect U.S.-Russian economic ties.
The following are highlights of the trade-related Executive Communications sent to Congress from January 21, 2010 to February 2, 2011:
On February 3, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On February 3, 2011, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary ordered favorably reported S. 23, a bill to amend title 35, U.S. Code, to provide for patent reform, with amendments.