ABOUT:
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Trade shall include bills and matters referred to the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to customs and customs administration including tariff and import fee structure, classification, valuation of and special rules applying to imports, and special tariff provisions and procedures which relate to customs operation affecting exports and imports; import trade matters, including import impact, industry relief from injurious imports, adjustment assistance and programs to encourage competitive responses to imports, unfair import practices including antidumping and countervailing duty provisions, and import policy which relates to dependence on foreign sources of supply; commodity agreements and reciprocal trade agreements involving multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations and implementation of agreements involving tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to and distortions of international trade; international rules, organizations and institutional aspects of international trade agreements; budget authorizations for the customs revenue functions of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Trade Representative; and special trade-related problems involving market access, competitive conditions of specific industries, export policy and promotion, access to materials in short supply, bilateral trade relations including trade with developing countries, operations of multinational corporations, and trade with non-market economies.
Source: “Rules of the Committee on Ways and Means”
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Updates
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Trade Promotion Authority—or TPA—is a partnership between Congress and the administration that ensures the United States secures the most effective trade agreements possible. TPA also brings greater transparency to the negotiating process by empowering Congress to conduct vigorous oversight and hold the administration accountable.
Transparency
TPA guarantees Congress a meaningful role in all trade negotiations. Under TPA, every member of Congress will be able to:
- Read Negotiating Text: Allows every member of Congress to read the negotiating text.
- Receive Detailed Briefings: Requires the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to brief any interested member on the status of negotiations at any time.
- Attend Negotiating Rounds: Allows any member to become a “congressional adviser” and as a result eligible to attend negotiating rounds.
- Provide Guidance: Creates House and Senate Advisory Groups to oversee negotiations and receive regular briefings. Any member can submit views.
- Coordinate with Public and Advisory Committees: Lays down guidelines on public engagement and sharing information with advisory committees.
- Receive adequate time to review deal: Requires the President to publish the text of a completed trade agreement 60 days before signing it.
- Consult with a New Transparency Officer: Creates a chief transparency officer at USTR that will consult with Congress and advise USTR on transparency policies
Accountability
TPA ensures Congress maintains control over changes to U.S. law and provides rules for considering trade agreements.
- Sets Negotiating Objectives: Sets Congressional priorities for trade agreements.
- Guarantees Long-Term Oversight: Extends trade promotion authority for six years.
- Protects U.S. Sovereignty: Affirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law.
- Narrows Scope of Implementation Bills: Stipulates that all implementing legislation include only provisions “necessary or appropriate” to enacting trade deals.
- Extends Oversight to Current Negotiations: Applies TPA requirements to ongoing negotiations, including oversight and consultation requirements.
- Strengthens Oversight: Applies expedited procedures only to agreements finished in a specific timeframe and tightens entry-into-force procedures.
- Provides an Off Switch: TPA sets up mechanisms for Congress to turn off the expedited procedures if the administration fails to meet its TPA obligations.
Summary of Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Overview of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Frequently Asked Questions
Updates to TPA in 2015
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Conservative Support for TPA
Section-by-Section Summary
Report
More Information
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act Bill Text
Section-by-Section Summary
Report
TAA Fact Sheet
Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015
The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, introduced today by Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, provides direction on how to streamline trade, improve enforcement, and measure progress within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in order to move the ever-increasing volume of legitimate trade more efficiently and halt trade that doesn’t comply with U.S. laws. The bill focuses on three critical aspects of CBP’s mission, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability.
Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 Fact Sheet
Section-by-Section Summary
Report
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) helps African countries work towards long-term sustainable economic development by promoting international trade and investment with other countries. The program facilitates increased trade with the beneficiary countries by lowering U.S. tariffs to their exports.
The AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 extends AGOA for ten years, including a ten year extension of third-country fabric provisions, which are important to nurture the development of the textile and apparel industry in Africa. The measure simplifies rules of origin, promotes greater regional integration and provides greater certainty in the operation of AGOA. The measure will also strengthen congressional oversight through additional notification and reporting requirements and improves transparency and participation in the AGOA review process.
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Summary
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Bill Text
Report
How does trade affect my state?
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Most Recent Hearings
Here we go again. Opponents of free trade agreements are once again trotting out bogeymen intended to scare people out of supporting trade promotion authority (TPA)—this time, suggesting that a future trade agreement will lead to some kind of new world governance structure with vast powers over the United States. If that sounds a little far-fetched, it’s because it is. Let’s take a ...
Ted Cruz and Paul Ryan: Putting Congress in Charge on Trade
Condoleezza Rice: Restore America’s Standing Through Trade
Jeb Hensarling:
Washington Post op-ed, by Condoleezza Rice
At the end of World War II, with the world still reeling from the devastating conflict, the United States set out to build a new foundation ...
As the House prepares to consider trade promotion authority—or TPA—legislation this month, members of the House Ways and Means Committee are keeping the drumbeat of support going all over the nation. Radio hits, TV interviews, op-eds, and ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — All this week, House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has been calling into radio stations ...
TPA requires that U.S. negotiators go beyond NAFTA to achieve trade agreements beneficial for the U.S. economy and our national security by meeting expansive, 21st century negotiating objectives.
Agriculture: Updated provisions seek robust and enforceable rules on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and address improper use of geographical indications. We are seeking ...
The United States has a large trade SURPLUS with NAFTA, excluding oil/energy trade
NAFTA is generating large and consistent U.S. trade surpluses: Excluding crude oil and other energy products trade, the United States had an overall trade surplus with Canada and Mexico of $41.4 billion in 2014.
Our NAFTA trade surplus extends across all three major ...
Why now? What’s the urgency for trade promotion authority (TPA)? That’s the question some ask as the House moves toward a vote this month. The answer is, the world is watching. The world is moving ahead with or without us. And securing TPA later, even under a Republican president, doesn’t get any easier.
Without TPA Soon, Pending Trade Agreements ...
This morning, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is out with a new video that talks about what TPA—or trade promotion authority—is really all about. As the speaker explains, TPA is about jobs, and it’s about holding the president accountable. We use TPA to close out important ...