Trade and International Economic Policy Reform Act of 1986 - Title I: Trade Law Amendments - Subtitle A: Enforcement of United States Rights Under Trade Agreements and Response to Certain Foreign Trade Practices - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require Presidential action if the President or the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) determines that U.S. rights under any trade agreement are being denied or a foreign country's act, policy, or practice: (1) is inconsistent with, or denies benefits to the United States under, any trade agreement; or (2) is unjustifiable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.
Requires the President, unless the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) make a specified finding or the President makes a specified finding, to: (1) suspend or remove certain benefits of the trade agreement, impose restrictions on the foreign country involved, or withdraw benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences; or (2) restrict imports of services; or (3) both (1) and (2); and (4) take all other appropriate and feasible actions to enforce such rights or end such act, policy, or practice. Requires such action to be devised to affect goods or services of the foreign country involved in an amount equivalent to the amount that such country restricts U.S. commerce.
Requires the President to take all appropriate actions to eliminate, and/or to offset the effects of, export targeting if: (1) the USTR determines that a foreign country practices export targeting; and (2) the International Trade Commission (ITC) determines that imports of targeted merchandise are injuring a U.S. industry. Defines export targeting as any government plan consisting of a combination of actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise or group of enterprises which improves the competitiveness of exports by such enterprise or group. Sets forth the alternative actions available to the President. Requires the President to report to the Congress on each action taken or the reasons no action was taken to: (1) enforce U.S. rights or eliminate unfair trade acts, policies, or practices; or (2) eliminate or offset the export targeting policy or practice.
Requires the President to take all appropriate and feasible action to eliminate a foreign country's act, policy, or practice which the President or the USTR finds to be unreasonable or discriminatory and that burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.
Prohibits the President from taking action under the provisions relating to enforcement of U.S. rights if other action is required because such country has an excessive or unwarranted trade surplus.
Requires the President, before taking any such action to restrict imports, to consider the likely impact that such action will have on U.S. agricultural exports.
Requires the President, within 30 days of receiving the USTR's recommendation to take action to enforce U.S. trade rights, to determine what action to take and to implement such action. Authorizes the President to delay such determination and implementation for up to 90 days if: (1) either the petitioner or the industry that would benefit from such action requests the delay; or (2) the President determines that substantial progress towards a solution is being made.
Requires the USTR to notify the ITC of investigations involving alleged export targeting. Requires the USTR to make a determination regarding such allegations within 180 days of the start of the investigation. Terminates the investigation if the USTR determines no export targeting exists or the ITC determines that imports of the targeted merchandise caused no material injury to a U.S. industry or to the establishment of a U.S. industry. Requires the ITC to make such determination within 180 days of receiving notice of the allegation from the USTR. Defines material injury and sets the standard for determining whether a material injury has been incurred. Provides for remedies under the countervailing and antidumping provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 if appropriate.
Provides for the presentation of views by interested persons concerning actions to enforce U.S. trade rights.
Requires the USTR to direct certain inquiries to the foreign countries involved in an investigation of unfair trade practices. Authorizes the USTR to request the foreign countries to provide documentation or permit verification of its information. Authorizes the USTR to disregard such information and instead use the best information available if the information provided by the foreign country is not timely, is incomplete, or is insufficiently verified.
Requires the USTR to consult with the petitioner before delaying consultations with a foreign country in cases involving enforcement of U.S. trade rights. Requires the USTR to give at least 30 days notice for the presentation of views by interested persons in such cases before making recommendations to the President on enforcement actions. Requires the USTR to consult with business and labor representatives of the affected industry and with other interested persons on the nature of the appropriate remedial action in cases involving export targeting.
Requires the USTR to consult with interested persons within 90 days of identification of a foreign market access barrier act, policy, or practice that has a significant adverse impact on U.S. exports if such foreign act, policy, or practice is likely to be an abridgement of U.S. rights under a trade agreement and is not otherwise the subject of an investigation. Requires the USTR to initiate an investigation if the USTR determines that: (1) such consultations indicate that an enforcement action would likely result in expanded U.S. export opportunities; (2) an enforcement action would not likely result in U.S. exports suffering significant adverse effects; and (3) it is in the national economic interest to initiate such an investigation.
Requires the USTR, subject to certain consultation requirements, to determine: (1) whether U.S. rights under a trade agreement are being denied or an unfair trade act, policy, or practice exists; and (2) recommend to the President what action to take if the determination under (1) is affirmative, and, in cases involving export targeting the ITC found that injury, the threat of injury, or industry retardation exists.
Changes the timetable for the USTR to determine whether action is required and to make recommendations to the President to: (1) 30 days after conclusion of dispute settlements or nine months after initiation of the investigation whichever occurs first, if a trade agreement other than the Subsidies Agreement is involved; or (2) nine months (11 months in export targeting cases) in any other case. Retains the current timetable for cases involving export subsidies, domestic subsidies, and combinations of export and domestic subsidies.
Authorizes the President to modify or terminate an action taken to enforce U.S. trade rights if: (1) the contracting parties to the GATT make specified findings; or (2) the President determines that the foreign act, policy, or practice has been eliminated or is being phased out or that the action is not effective or that its continuation is not in the national economic interest. Requires the USTR to review and assess biennially the results of actions taken to enforce U.S. rights. Provides for publication of, and notification of the Congress of, any modification or termination.
Requires the USTR to submit the annual national trade estimates to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Requires such estimates to include, beginning on October 30, 1986, an identification of those acts, policies, and practices included in the analysis that had significant adverse impact on U.S. exports.
Adds a new subchapter to the Trade Act of 1974 that creates special provisions regarding trade deficits. Requires the ITC to: (1) determine whether each major exporting country is an excessive trade surplus country for 1985 and for 1987 through 1990; and (2) determine if the percentage obtained by dividing the U.S. balance of trade deficit by the U.S. gross national product is less than one and one-half percent. Requires the ITC to report such determinations to the USTR.
Requires the USTR, within 15 days of receipt of such report, to determine whether each major exporting country identified as an excessive trade surplus country maintained a pattern of unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory trade policies or practices that have a significant adverse effect on U.S. commerce and contribute to the excessive trade surplus of that country. Sets forth factors to be considered in making such determination. Provides that the USTR need not make such determinations with respect to countries with a percentage of less than one and one-half percent. Defines "excessive trade surplus country" as a major exporting country which has: (1) a bilateral export percentage (the value of nonpetroleum export to, divided by the value of nonpetroleum imports from, the United States) of more than 175 percent; and (2) a bilateral trade surplus (an excess of the value of nonpetroleum exports to, divided by nonpetroleum imports from, the United States) that exceeds the bilateral trade surplus for such country for the year. Sets forth surplus reduction goals for major exporting countries designated as excessive and unwarranted trade surplus countries.
Requires the USTR to try to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement to achieve such surplus reduction goals with each foreign country that is designated as an excessive and unwarranted trade surplus country.
Requires the President, if the USTR's negotiations do not achieve such surplus reduction goals within a specified time, to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions with respect to such country; (2) impose other duties or other import restrictions on such country's products; (3) negotiate agreements with such country; and/or (4) implement other governmental action which would restore or improve the competitive position of U.S. industries with that country. Requires the President to impose such import quotas on imports from such country as are necessary to meet the reduction for the next year if the action taken under (1) through (4) does not achieve the surplus reduction objective for that year.
Authorizes the President, subject to congressional approval, to: (1) reduce the surplus reduction goal for any excessive and unwarranted trade surplus country if the President considers that such country cannot meet the goal without suffering significant economic harm and develops an alternative plan for achieving such goal; or (2) waive the taking of other action with respect to an excessive and unwarranted trade surplus country if the President considers that such action would cause substantial harm to the national economic interest and develops an alternative plan for achieving the surplus reduction goal.
Provides for the administration of the provisions relating to trade deficits.
Subtitle B: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition, Subsidies, Dumping, and Unfair Trade Practices - Chapter 1: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition - Requires petitions for import relief to: (1) include a statement describing the specific purposes for which import relief is being sought; (2) if critical circumstances are alleged to exist, include information supporting that allegation; and (3) if desired by the petitioner, request the preparation of an industry adjustment plan.
Authorizes petitioners alleging import competition from a perishable product to request emergency action.
Requires the USTR, if the petitioner alleges that critical circumstances exist, to make a preliminary determination within 30 days on whether such circumstances are likely to exist.
Provides that the USTR, if the preliminary determination is affirmative: (1) shall order the suspension of the liquidation of all articles subject to such determination; and (2) may order the posting of a security deposit for the entry of articles subject to such suspension. Sets forth the duration of such actions. Prohibits taking such actions with respect to perishable products. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a substantial increase in the quantity of imports of an article over a relatively short time has led to circumstances in which a delay in the taking effect of import relief would cause harm that would significantly impair the effectiveness of such relief.
Requires the USTR, if the petitioner requests an industry adjustment plan, to establish an industry advisory group which shall prepare the adjustment plan for the industry concerned and submit the plan to the ITC. Provides that such plan should contain: (1) an assessment of the industry's current problems and a strategy to enhance its competitiveness; (2) objectives and specific steps that could be undertaken to improve the industry's competitiveness; and (3) actions that Federal agencies could take to help achieve those objectives and to remedy the dislocation to workers and communities caused by import competition.
Requires the USTR to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, information from workers and firms on: (1) how the workers and firms intend to act upon the objectives and steps specified in the plan; and (2) any other actions the workers or firms intend to take to foster such objectives. Requires the USTR to transmit such information to the ITC, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce on a confidential basis.
Requires the ITC to investigate whether an article is being imported in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of injury, to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article upon: (1) the filing of a petition; (2) the request of the President or the USTR; (3) resolution of either the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee; or (4) its own motion. Sets forth economic factors that the ITC shall consider in making its determination. Defines "domestic industry" for purposes of making such determination.
Requires the ITC, in the course of any such investigation, to: (1) investigate and report on efforts by firms and workers in the industry to increase the industry's competitiveness; (2) investigate any factor which may be contributing to increased imports of the article under investigation and notify the appropriate agency if the ITC has reason to believe that dumping is causing the increased imports; and (3) hold public hearings on the subject of the investigation.
Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury or threat of serious injury exists, to: (1) determine the import relief that is necessary to prevent or remedy that injury or threat; and (2) if the petition alleged critical circumstances, determine if critical circumstances exist. Requires the ITC to report its findings to the USTR within six months of the date the petition is filed. Sets forth information to be included in the report, including a copy of the industry adjustment plan and an estimate of the effect of the recommended import relief on consumers and competitors in the domestic markets.
Requires the ITC, within 48 hours of finding that serious injury or the threat of serious injury exists with respect to any article, to notify the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce of: (1) the finding; (2) the identity of the domestic producers and products within the scope of the finding; and (3) all nonconfidential information obtained by the ITC that may be relevant to a determination of eligibility for adjustment assistance.
Prohibits another import relief investigation with respect to the same subject matter unless one year has passed since the ITC's report or the ITC determines that good cause for such repeat investigation exists.
Requires the USTR, after receiving an ITC report with an affirmative finding of injurious increased imports, to provide import relief (for up to five years) in order to prevent the injury and to facilitate the industry's orderly adjustment to competition, unless providing import relief is not in the national economic interest. Authorizes the USTR to condition the provision of import relief on compliance with the industry adjustment plan. Sets a 60-day deadline for the USTR to make such determinations. Sets forth factors the USTR shall consider in determining whether to provide import relief. Authorizes the USTR to request a supplemental report from the ITC which shall be provided by the ITC within 30 days.
Requires the USTR to submit to the Congress for review: (1) the determination of what import relief to provide (and if such relief differs from the ITC's recommendation, the reasons for such difference) and its likely impact on U.S. agricultural exports; (2) if the USTR determines that import relief is not in the national economic interest, the reasons for such determination; or (3) notice of and the rationale for any other import relief action implemented by the USTR.
Requires the implementation of the import relief recommended by the ITC if the Congress vetoes a USTR determination not to provide import relief or to provide import relief different from the import relief recommended by the ITC.
Requires the import relief to be implemented within a specified time unless the USTR decides to negotiate an orderly marketing agreement.
Authorizes the USTR to negotiate orderly marketing agreements and, after such agreements take effect, to suspend or terminate any import relief previously provided. Authorizes the USTR to provide other import relief if after being negotiated an orderly marketing agreement does not continue to be effective.
Provides for treating as an increase in duty the suspension of: (1) certain tariff provisions with respect to an article; and (2) the designation of any article as eligible for tariff preferences. Prohibits such suspension from being made by the USTR or recommended by the ITC unless specified conditions are met.
Sets forth regulatory authority for providing import relief.
Provides for the extension, modification, and termination of import relief provisions.
Requires the ITC to review, and report annually to the USTR on, developments with respect to an industry receiving import relief so long as such relief remains in effect. Requires the ITC to advise the USTR on the probable economic effect on the industry concerned of the extension, reduction, or termination of the import relief.
Prohibits the ITC from making an import relief investigation with respect to an article which has received import relief until two years after such relief was provided.
Authorizes the USTR to take import relief actions only after consideration of the relation of such actions to U.S. international obligations. Imposes certain conditions on treating production located in a major geographic area as the "domestic industry" for import relief purposes.
Authorizes an import relief petitioner, who alleged injury from imports of a perishable product to file, in addition, a request with the Secretary of Agriculture that emergency action be taken with respect to that product.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to decide, within 20 days: (1) whether there is reason to believe that the perishable product is being imported in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of, or threat of, serious injury to the competing domestic industry; and (2) if there is such reason to believe, whether emergency action is warranted.
Provides for refiling after a specified time a request for emergency action if the Secretary denies the first request.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, if the Secretary decides to grant such request, to: (1) determine the method and extent of emergency action to be imposed; (2) notify the USTR of such request; and (3) unless the USTR decides within seven days that such action is not in the national economic interest, order the Commissioner of Customs to take such action.
Defines emergency action as: (1) an increase in, or the imposition of, a duty; and/or (2) a modification of, or the imposition of, a quota on imports of such article.
Imposes different emergency actions for perishable products from Israel or certain Caribbean countries.
Provides for termination of an emergency action if: (1) changed circumstances warrant such termination; (2) the ITC reports that it did not find serious injury or the threat of serious injury to the industry; (3) the denial of import relief becomes final; or (4) other import relief provisions become effective.
Amends the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 to add Chinese gooseberries to the definition of the term perishable products.
Establishes in the Treasury an Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund that shall consist of the funds generated by certain import provisions and by the public auctioning of import licenses. Requires the amounts in the Trust Fund to be used for trade adjustment assistance for workers and firms.
Requires the Secretary of Labor to give expedited consideration to a petition for certification of eligibility for adjustment assistance by workers in a domestic industry which the ITC, within the three years preceding the petition, has determined was seriously injured by imports.
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to give expedited consideration to a petition for certification of eligibility for adjustment assistance by a domestic industry which the ITC, within the three years preceding the petition, has determined was seriously injured by imports.
Transfers from the President to the USTR the authority to take action in response to an ITC finding of market disruption with respect to imports from a non-market economy country (defined as a country dominated or controlled by communism).
Declares that market disruption exists within a domestic industry whenever an article is being imported in such increased quantities as to be an important cause of, or threat of, material injury to the competing domestic industry. Sets forth factors the ITC shall consider in determining whether market disruption exists. Authorizes the ITC to recommend, in addition to other relief, a variable tariff based on a comparison of average domestic producer prices and average import prices.
Authorizes the USTR to deny import relief with respect to imports from non-market economy countries only if the provision of such relief would have a serious negative impact on the domestic economy.
Chapter 2: Amendments to the Countervailing and Antidumping Duty Laws - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that certain producers of raw agricultural products may be considered part of the industry producing processed agricultural products for purposes of bringing countervailing and antidumping duty complaints. Sets forth the criteria such producers must meet. Defines "material injury" for purposes of complaints involving imports of a raw agricultural product and products processed from such raw agricultural product. Classifies a coalition or trade association which represents either processors or processors and producers as interested parties in such investigations.
Includes within the definition of domestic subsidy (and therefore subject to countervailing duties) the provision of capital, loans, or loan guarantees at preferential rates and the provision of goods or services on terms inconsistent with commercial considerations.
Requires the ITC, in determining whether material injury occurred in an antidumping or countervailing duty case, to assess cumulatively the volume and effect of imports from two or more countries of like products if such imports compete with each other and with like products of the domestic industry in the U.S. market and if such imports: (1) are subject to any countervailing or antidumping duty; or (2) during the preceding 12 months were subjected to a final order, suspension agreement, or quantitative restraint resulting from such an investigation.
Adds to the factors that the ITC must consider in determining whether threat of material injury exists: (1) evidence of export targeting by a foreign government; (2) the extent to which the United States is a focal point for exports because of market barriers in third countries; and (3) in dumping cases, dumping findings in other countries against the same exporter. Requires the ITC in such dumping cases to request information from the foreign exporter or U.S. importer on threat of material injury. Authorizes the ITC to draw adverse inferences if such information is not produced.
Imposes special rules for determinations of the existence or threat of material injury involving fungible products.
Includes in the definition of "subsidy" (for antidumping and countervailing duty purposes) any resource input subsidy. States that a "resource input subsidy" is found to exist if: (1) (a) a product is provided or sold by a government-regulated or controlled entity within a country for input use within such country at a domestic price that is lower than the fair market value of the input product and is not freely available to U.S. producers; and (b) a product would, if sold at the fair market value, constitute a significant portion of the total cost of the manufacture or production of the merchandise in or for which the input product is used; or (2) under specified circumstances, the right to remove or extract such product is provided or sold by a government or a government-regulated or controlled entity within a country. Sets forth the method of calculating the amount of a resource input subsidy.
Defines "fair market value" and "input use".
Requires injury determinations by the ITC to be made in all countervailing duty investigations relating to the existence of resource input subsidies.
Requires the administering authority to adjust the foreign market value of an import if the administering authority determines in an antidumping investigation that: (1) a dumped input product is incorporated into or used in the manufacture or production of the import subject to the investigation; and (2) the manufacturer or producer of such import purchased the dumped input product for a price that is less than the adjusted foreign market value of that product.
Defines "dumped input product" to be merchandise subject to an antidumping duty order or to a specified international agreement.
Authorizes any domestic producer of an article that is like a "component part" or a "downstream product" to petition the administering authority to designate a downstream product for monitoring. Defines "component part" to mean an import that: (1) during the five years preceding the petition has been subject to certain countervailing or antidumping duty order or agreement; and (2) is used routinely as a major part in other manufactured articles. Defines "downstream product" to mean any import into which is incorporated any component part. Sets forth information to be included in the petition.
Requires the administering authority, within 14 days of receiving the petition, to determine whether there is a reasonable likelihood that imports of the downstream product will increase as an indirect result of any diversion of such component parts. Sets forth factors to be considered in making such determination. Requires the administering authority to notify the ITC if such determination is affirmative. Requires the ITC to begin monitoring the levels of trade in downstream products. Requires the ITC to make quarterly reports based on such monitoring. Requires the administering authority to: (1) consider the reports in determining whether to initiate an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation on any downstream product; and (2) request the ITC to stop monitoring such product if the reports indicate that imports are not increasing and there is no reasonable likelihood of diversionary dumping of component parts.
Creates a right to a private remedy for injury resulting from dumping. Authorizes eligible parties to sue for damages in the Court of International Trade: (1) any manufacturer of the dumped merchandise; and (2) any exporter, importer, or consignee who knew or had reason to know that the merchandise was sold at less than fair value.
Provides that merchandise imported by or for the use of Federal agencies is not exempt from the imposition of countervailing or antidumping duties.
Changes the limits imposed on access to confidential information obtained by the administering authority. Requires the administering authority to make all such information available under protective order. Imposes a 14-day deadline for determining whether to release such information. Prohibits the administering authority from considering confidential information in its investigation if the person submitting such information refuses to disclose it pursuant to a protective order. Imposes certain other requirements on service of such information, notification of the submission of such information, and timely submissions.
Prohibits antidumping and countervailing duties from being treated as regular customs duties for drawback purposes.
Requires persons making submissions to the administering authority or the ITC in antidumping or countervailing duty proceedings to certify that such submission is accurate and complete to the best of that person's knowledge.
Chapter 3: Intellectual Property Rights - Makes unlawful the unauthorized importation or unauthorized sale within the United States after importation of articles that: (1) infringe a valid and enforceable U.S. patent or copyright; or (2) are made under, or by means of, a patented process. Makes it unlawful to import or sell within the United States after importation articles that infringe a valid and enforceable U.S. trademark, if the manufacture or production of such article was unauthorized. Makes it unlawful to import a semiconductor chip product in a manner that constitutes infringement of a registered mask work. Declares that such prohibitions shall apply only if there is an existing or nascent U.S. industry relating to the articles or intellectual property.
Authorizes the ITC to terminate an investigation before determining whether there is a violation by issuing a consent order or on the basis of a settlement agreement.
Requires the ITC to make a determination with regard to a petition alleging unfair import practices within 90 days (150 days in more complicated cases) of the publication of notice of the investigation. Authorizes the ITC to grant preliminary relief with respect to violations involving intellectual property to the same extent as authorized under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Authorizes the ITC to issue cease and desist orders in addition to exclusion orders. Increases the penalty for violations of such orders.
Transfers from the President to the USTR the authority to overrule for policy reasons ITC determinations of unfair import practices.
Provides for default judgments against nonrespondents in unfair import practice cases unless the ITC determines that specified circumstances preclude such judgments. Authorizes the ITC to promulgate rules that establish sanctions for abuse of discovery and abuse of process.
Imposes the burden of proof on the petitioner in cases where the petitioner has previously been found in violation of the provision prohibiting unfair import practices and the petitioners is asking the ITC: (1) to find that the petitioner is no longer violating the section; or (2) for a modification or rescission of the penalty imposed on such petitioner. Sets forth the grounds for granting such relief.
Prohibits disclosure (except to certain ITC and Customs Service employees) of confidential information submitted to the ITC during the course of an investigation without the consent of the petitioner.
Requires the USTR to prepare a list annually of those foreign countries that maintain the most significant barriers to market access for U.S. persons that rely on intellectual property protection. Requires the USTR, in order to create such list, to: (1) identify and analyze the market barriers of a country to certain intellectual property that is exported or licensed by U.S. persons that rely on intellectual property protection; (2) estimate the trade-distorting impact on U.S. commerce of such country's acts, policies, or practices that are contained in the annual report on market barriers; (3) decide whether the potential market in that country is substantial; and (4) take into account certain other information submitted by persons who rely on intellectual property protection. Designates countries which have the largest potential markets or have the most onerous market barriers as priority countries for negotiating purposes. Authorizes the USTR to exempt a foreign country from such negotiations if negotiations would be detrimental to U.S. interests.
Requires the President to direct the USTR to enter into negotiations and consultations with priority countries according to a specified timetable in order to seek trade agreements which reduce or eliminate market barriers for U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. Authorizes the President, within five years of enactment of this Act, to enter into agreements which meet such objective.
Authorizes the President to take certain other actions if the President is not able to enter into such an agreement with a priority country within a specified time. Requires the President to report to the Congress on a biennial basis on efforts to obtain market access in priority countries. Sets forth information to be included in such report.
Requires the USTR to consult with the appropriate congressional committees, Federal agencies, private persons, and certain advisory committees: (1) before identifying the market barriers, determining priority countries, and establishing the timetable; (2) in conducting negotiations; (3) in developing the report; and (4) in determining certain other actions.
Requires the principle negotiating objectives with respect to intellectual property rights to be: (1) to seek enactment and effective enforcement by foreign countries of laws that protect intellectual property; and (2) to develop and strengthen international rules and dispute settlement procedures against trade-distorting practices arising from inadequate national protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Subtitle C: Trade Negotiating Objectives and Authority - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to provide that the overall trade negotiating objectives of the United States are to: (1) achieve a more open, fair, and nondiscriminatory international trading system; (2) obtain equitable and reciprocal competitive opportunities for U.S. manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and service in foreign markets; and (3) expand and improve the rules and procedures of the GATT. Sets forth the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives. Declares that the overall and principal trade negotiating objectives are to be achieved through multilateral trade agreements (unless other agreements would be more effective) that provide for: (1) the reduction or elimination of trade barriers; and (2) the development, clarification, or extension of principles governing international trade.
Authorizes the President, through January 3, 1989, to enter into trade agreements and to proclaim modifications or continuation of existing duties or duty-free treatment as of January 1, 1987, or additional duties as required or appropriate.
Extends the authority of the President to enter into nontariff barrier agreements or bilateral tariff agreements until January 3, 1989.
Extends the President's authority to enter into tariff and nontariff barrier agreements for an additional two years (until January 3, 1991) if, by November 3, 1988, USTR certifies to specified congressional committees that: (1) sufficient progress has been made under the trade agreement authority to justify the continuation of negotiations; and (2) such continuation is likely to achieve the overall and principal U.S. negotiating objectives.
Prohibits the President from proclaiming, under the President's tariff agreement authority, the reduction or elimination of any duty on any article that, on the date of enactment of this Act, was not designated an eligible article under the Generalized System of Preferences. Requires congressional approval of any provision of a trade agreement entered into under the President's tariff agreement authority that reduces or modifies the duty on such articles.
Requires the Commissioner of Customs, in the implementation of certain bilateral trade agreements with a foreign country, to prevent the transshipment through such country of articles subject to quantitative import restrictions under U.S. law.
Requires certain additional information to be included in the consultations with congressional committees prior to entry into trade agreements.
Requires the President's statement to Congress accompanying a trade agreement to include a statement: (1) that the agreement achieves the U.S. overall and principal negotiating objectives; and (2) the President's reasons as to how and to what extent the agreement achieves such objectives and why and to what extent the agreement does not achieve other objectives.
Requires the President to recommend to the Congress in the implementing bill submitted with respect to a trade agreement that the benefits and obligations of such agreement apply solely to the parties to such agreement, if such application is appropriate and consistent with the terms of the agreement.
Prohibits any nontariff trade agreement from entering into force from the date of enactment of this Act until the earlier of: (1) a specified international conference on the exchange rate system is convened; or (2) the President reports to the Congress that such conference cannot be convened because of unwillingness of a major currency country to participate.
Authorizes the President, whenever certain import relief measures or tariff reclassifications take place, to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions; and (2) proclaim tariff modifications or continuances as necessary to carry out such agreement. Authorizes such compensatory actions only if necessary to meet U.S. international obligations.
Grants the President the authority, for five years, to enter into tariff agreements with Canada relating to, and to proclaim tariff modifications or eliminations on: (1) frozen cranberries; (2) dialysis cyclers; (3) packaging goods for tea; (4) dried fababeans; (5) cat litter; (6) mechanics tool boxes; (7) medical tubing; (8) synthetic fireplace materials; (9) spirits; (10) miners safety lamps, components, and battery chargers; and (11) computerized paper cutter control retrofit units. Requires the President to exercise such authority only to the extent that Canada grants equivalent tariff reductions.
Requires certain private sector advisory committees to report to the Congress on the extent each trade agreement achieves U.S. trade negotiating objectives. Requires each report by a private sector advisory committee on a trade agreement to be submitted to the Congress by the date that the draft implementing bill is submitted to the Congress.
Requires the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding high technology access to be to eliminate or reduce foreign barriers to, and foreign government practices which limit, equitable access by U.S. persons to foreign-developed technology. Requires the United States, in pursuing such objectives, to take into account U.S. policies in licensing or making available to foreign persons U.S. developed technology.
Subtitle D: Functions of the United States Trade Representative - Requires the USTR to: (1) have primary responsibility for U.S. international trade policy; (2) serve as principal advisor to the President on such policy and advise the President on the impact of other policies on international trade; (3) have lead responsibility for the conduct of, and be chief U.S. representative for, international trade negotiations; (4) issue trade policy guidance to other agencies; (5) act as principal spokesman for the President on international trade; (6) report to the President and the Congress on trade agreement programs and other trade issues; (7) advise the President and the Congress on trade agreement programs; and (8) be chairman of a specified interagency trade organization and consult with such committee in the performance of USTR functions. Sets forth the membership and functions of the interagency trade organization.
Establishes in the Office of the USTR a Fair Trade Advocates Branch which shall assist qualifying industries in obtaining benefits under the trade laws: (1) by preparing and initiating cases for qualifying industries under the trade laws; (2) acting as an advocate in the proceedings of such cases; and (3) in pursuing administrative and judicial appeals of such cases.
Requires the USTR to submit an annual statement to specified congressional committees of: (1) U.S. trade policy objectives and priorities; (2) the actions proposed or anticipated to be undertaken during the year to achieve such objectives; and (3) any proposed legislation to achieve such objectives.
Requires the USTR to seek advice from certain advisory committees and congressional committees before submitting such statement. Requires the USTR and other Federal officials to consult with congressional committees with respect to actions which may require or result in changes in trade objectives or priorities.
Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Trade Law Provisions - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require the Secretary of Commerce to report, within 90 days (180 days in extraordinarily complicated investigations), the Secretary's findings on the effects on national security of certain imports. Requires the President, within 30 days if the Secretary of Commerce finds that imports of an article are threatening national security, to: (1) determine whether the President concurs with the Secretary; (2) if the President concurs, determine what action to take; and (3) report to the Congress on such determination. Requires the President to take action within 15 days of determining to take action to adjust such imports.
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the President, after January 4, 1987, to waive the competitive need limits with respect to a country eligible for preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences if that country: (1) qualifies for a waiver under specified criteria; (2) is a Latin American debtor country having difficulty servicing its debt; and (3) has not less than 20 percent of its debt held by any combination of U.S. banks, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. Sets forth a formula for allocating such benefits.
Transfers from the President to the USTR all functions, authorities, and determinations of the President under the Generalized System of Preferences.
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the President's appointment of the chairman and vice-chairman of the ITC to be made with the advice and consent of the Senate. Deletes the restriction on appointing as chairman or vice-chairman the two most recently appointed commissioners.
Directs the Secretary to prohibit for three years any multiple customs law offender from: (1) introducing or trying to introduce foreign goods or services into U.S. commerce; and (2) engaging or trying to engage any other person to introduce, on such offender's behalf, foreign goods into U.S. commerce. Provides for identifying such multiple offenders. Sets the penalty for violations of such prohibition.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) certain objectives relating to U.S. exports of metallurgical coal to Japan have not been achieved; (2) the President should seek to establish reciprocity with Japan with respect to such exports and steel product imports; (3) the President should direct the USTR to negotiate an agreement with Japan under which Japan will import U.S. metallurgical coal in quantities equivalent to that used in the production of Japanese steel products that are exported to the United States; and (4) the President should report to the Congress by November 1, 1987, on such negotiations.
Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to provide that any steel product that is manufactured in a country that is not party to a bilateral arrangement (a non-arrangement country) from steel which is melted and poured in a country that is an arrangement country will be treated for purposes of the quantitative restrictions under that arrangement as if it were a product of an arrangement country. Requires the Customs Service, if provided with documentation that a steel product was exported by an arrangement country to a non-arrangement country where the product was transformed for export to the United States, to treat such documented product as if it were a product of the arrangement country for purposes of quantitative restrictions.
Requires the ITC to monitor, and report to the Congress on, imports that may pose significant problems from import competition for U.S. industries.
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the ITC from releasing certain confidential information unless the party who submitted such information consents to its release.
Designates the ITC an independent regulatory agency for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (allowing the ITC to override disapproval by the Office of Management and Budget of the issuance of a questionnaire to members of the public).
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Japan should allow U.S. semiconductor manufacturers full and substantial access to the Japanese semiconductor market; and (2) the President should take all appropriate action to achieve access to the Japanese semiconductor market for U.S. manufacturers and should determine if Japanese market restrictions warrant a U.S. response.
Title II: International Trade in Telecommunications Products and Services - Telecommunications Trade Act of 1986 - Sets forth the findings and purposes of this Act.
Declares that the primary U.S. negotiating objectives regarding telecommunications products and services are to provide for: (1) the nondiscriminatory procurement of such products and services by foreign government-controlled entities that provide local exchange telecommunications services; (2) assurances that registration requirements for customer premises products be limited to a manufacturer's certification that the products meet certain safety standards; (3) openness in the standards-setting processes used in foreign countries; (4) the ability to have customer premises products approved and registered by type and mutual recognition of type approvals; (5) access to the basic telecommunications network in foreign countries on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms for the provision of value-added services by U.S. suppliers; and (6) monitoring and effective dispute settlement provisions regarding the above issues. Sets forth seven secondary U.S. negotiating objectives.
Requires the USTR in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and a specified interagency trade organization, to undertake an investigation with respect to each foreign country in order to: (1) identify and analyze those trade policies and practices that deny fully competitive market opportunities to U.S. telecommunications firms; and (2) establish specific primary and secondary negotiating objectives. Authorizes the USTR to exclude any foreign country from such investigations if the potential market in that country for U.S. telecommunications products and services is not substantial. Requires such investigations to be completed within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
Authorizes the USTR to undertake other investigations of foreign countries after the above investigations are completed if the USTR: (1) considers that there is reason to believe that a foreign country is denying fully competitive market opportunities to U.S. telecommunications firms; or (2) accepts a petition filed by an interested party alleging that such conditions exist. Requires such investigations to be completed within 180 days.
Requires the USTR to: (1) review at least annually the potential market for U.S. products and services in countries that were excluded from such investigations; and (2) undertake such an investigation if the USTR considers such market to be substantial.
Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees on the results of any such investigation.
Requires the President to enter into negotiations with the foreign country or countries subject to such investigations in order to enter into trade agreements which achieve the specific primary and secondary negotiating objectives established by this Act.
Provides that if the President is unable, during the negotiating period (18 months after enactment of this Act for countries that have a substantial market for U.S. telecommunications firms and 12 months for certain other countries), to enter into a trade agreement which achieves the primary and secondary negotiating objectives, the President: (1) shall take whatever actions are authorized to achieve the primary objectives not covered by agreement; and (2) may take whatever actions are authorized to achieve the secondary objectives not covered by agreement. Provides for extending the negotiating period under certain circumstances. Requires the President to take those actions which most directly affect telecommunications trade with such country.
Authorizes the President to take any of the following actions: (1) terminate, withdraw, or suspend any portion of any trade agreement entered into under the Trade Act of 1974, section 201 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, or section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930; (2) take any action described in section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974; (3) prohibit the Federal Government from purchasing specified telecommunications products; (4) increase certain domestic preferences for Federal purchases of such products; (5) suspend any waiver of such domestic preferences for such products; (6) order the denial of Federal funds or credits for purchases of specified telecommunications products of any specified foreign country; or (7) suspend benefits accorded articles from specified countries under the Generalized System of Preferences under the Trade Act of 1974.
Authorizes the President to modify or terminate any such action if and only if a foreign country enters into a trade agreement that achieves the specific negotiating objective regarding which such action was taken. Requires the President to inform specified congressional committees of any such action, modification, or termination.
Requires the USTR to review annually each trade agreement to determine whether any foreign country's act, policy, or practice: (1) does not comply with the agreement; or (2) otherwise denies fully competitive market opportunities in that country to U.S. telecommunications firms. Defines trade agreement to mean: (1) a trade agreement entered into under a specified section of this Act; and (2) a telecommunications trade agreement that was in force on the date of enactment of this Act.
Requires the USTR, if the foreign country is not in compliance with a trade agreement or denies market opportunities to U.S. firms, to take certain actions to: (1) offset such foreign act, policy, or practice; and (2) restore the balance of concessions in telecommunications trade. Sets forth the actions the USTR may take under such circumstances. Authorizes the USTR to modify or terminate any such action if and only if the foreign country has taken appropriate remedial action. Requires the USTR to inform specified congressional committees of any such action, modification, or termination.
Requires the President and the USTR to consult with the Secretary of Commerce, a specified interagency trade organization, and the private sector on what types of action to take if the President has been unable to enter into a trade agreement with a foreign country on telecommunications issues or if a foreign country is not complying with a trade agreement or otherwise denies market opportunities to U.S. telecommunications firms.
Requires the President to keep the appropriate congressional committees and other advisory committees informed with respect to: (1) the negotiating priorities and objectives for each country; (2) the assessment of negotiating prospects; and (3) any U.S. concessions.
Authorizes the President, during the 42 months following enactment of this Act, to enter into trade agreements to achieve the primary and secondary negotiating objectives established under this Act. Authorizes the trade agreements to provide for: (1) the harmonization, reduction, or elimination of duties or trade restrictions, barriers, or other distortions; or (2) the prohibition of, or limitations on, the imposition of duties or trade restrictions, barriers, or other distortions. Provides for the implementation of any such trade agreement through legislation or, if the agreement provides solely for unilateral concessions by a foreign country to the United States, by presidential proclamation. Provides that the benefits of any such agreement may apply solely to the parties to the agreement or not apply uniformly to all parties to such agreement.
Authorizes the President to enter into trade agreements with a foreign country to grant concessions as compensation in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions if: (1) the President has taken action in response to investigations by the USTR; or (2) the USTR takes action because a foreign country is not complying with a trade agreement or otherwise denies market opportunities to U.S. firms; and (3) such action is inconsistent with U.S. international obligations. Provides for implementation of such trade agreements.
Title III: Export Enhancement - Export Enhancement Act of 1986- Subtitle A: Export Promotion - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the International Trade Administration the United States and Foreign Commercial Service (Commercial Service). Transfers to the Commercial Service the functions of the United States and Foreign Commercial Services.
Declares that the purpose of the Commercial Service is to promote and protect U.S. business interests abroad. Requires the Commercial Service to place primary emphasis on the promotion of U.S. exports, particularly from small and medium-sized businesses. Sets forth activities to be carried out by the Commercial Service.
Sets forth administration provisions governing the Commercial Service.
Requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to review periodically the current number of personnel assigned to U.S. diplomatic missions abroad to determine whether an adequate number of such personnel are engaged in economic or commercial duties to assist U.S. exporters and businesses doing business abroad.
Requires each chief of a U.S. diplomatic mission to an important U.S. trading partner which has significant potential for U.S. export sales to report annually to the President and the Congress on: (1) the mission's strategy to expand U.S. exports; and (2) the mission's efforts to assist U.S. industries in expanding export sales and improving their market position.
Amends the Export Administration Amendments Act of 1985 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Market Development Cooperator Program the purpose of which is to develop, maintain, and expand foreign markets for nonagricultural goods and services produced in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to enter into contracts with nonprofit industry organizations, trade associations, State and regional trade agencies, and other private industry associations to engage in activities in order to: (1) identify market opportunities; (2) introduce new products and processes; (3) eliminate trade and technical barriers; and (4) improve economic and trade relations between the United States and other countries. Defines the Market Development Cooperator Program as an export promotion program.
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) provide agricultural commodities for export; (2) support the principle of free trade; (3) support the negotiating objectives set forth in the Comprehensive Trade Policy Reform Act of 1986; (4) counter unfair trade practices and to use all available means to encourage fair and more open trade; and (5) provide for increased representation of U.S. agricultural trade interests in the formation of fiscal and monetary policy affecting trade.
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to include U.S. wood and wood products among the agricultural commodities that may be used in development projects funded by local currency generated by Public Law 480. Includes the construction of low- and medium-income housing within the definition of the terms "private sector development activity" and "private enterprise investment" as used in the private enterprise promotion provisions of such Act.
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to expand the number of agricultural counselors and other Department of Agriculture representatives overseas. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to assist State agriculture departments in supporting export efforts of private companies.
Amends the Agricultural Trade and Export Policy Commission Act to terminate the Agricultural Trade and Export Policy Commission within 90 days of transmission of its final report.
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research that would enhance the long-term competitiveness in world markets of U.S. agricultural exports. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) monitor foreign research and trade practices carried out to promote agricultural exports; and (2) report annually to the Congress on trends in the competitive position of U.S. agricultural exports in the world market, foreign agricultural research developments, foreign agricultural export subsidies, and the marketing in nonmarket economies of U.S. agricultural exports.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the availability of Federal export financing contributes to the maintenance and expansion of U.S. exports and can serve to reverse the trend toward overseas production.
Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to specified congressional committees on the economic policy and trade practices of each country with which the United States has an economic or trade relationship. Sets forth information to be included in such report.
Amends the Export Administration Amendments Act of 1985 to authorize appropriations for FY 1987 and 1988 to the Department of Commerce for export promotion programs.
Subtitle B: Export Controls - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of any domestically produced crude oil unless specified conditions are met. (Current law applies such conditions only to exports of oil transported over the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.)
Permits the use of distribution licenses for exports to China.
Prohibits requiring permission to reexport goods subject to U.S. jurisdiction: (1) to or from any country which maintains export controls on such goods cooperatively with the United States pursuant to certain agreements; or (2) from any country when the goods to be reexported are incorporated in other goods and do not exceed $10,000 in value and do not constitute more than 20 percent of the value of the goods in which they are incorporated.
Prohibits requiring permission to export (to countries other than controlled countries) goods or technology which, if exported pursuant to the COCOM agreement (Coordinating Committee on Export Controls), would require only notification of COCOM governments. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to require exporters of such goods to such countries to notify the Department of Commerce of those exports.
Provides for quarterly partial reviews of the control list of goods subject to export controls. Requires all goods and technology on the list to be reviewed at least annually. Requires the Secretary of Defense to review the goods on the list of militarily critical technologies on an ongoing basis. (Currently such review is required at least annually.)
Requires the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to identify those goods subject to national security export controls which contribute least directly to the military potential of any controlled country and which constitute about 40 percent of all national security export controls. Requires the list of such goods to include all medical instruments and equipment and goods so widely available that export controls are ineffective. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to submit such list to the Congress and to the Coordinating Committee, within one year of enactment of this Act, together with the total number of goods subject to national security export controls. Provides for a gradual 40 percent reduction of the number of goods subject to such controls.
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to review the foreign availability (to countries subject to national security export controls) of goods subject to such controls from sources outside the United States, including sources within such countries. Prohibits requiring a validated export license for exports of such goods to such countries during the period of foreign availability. Differentiates between cases of foreign availability in China and cases of foreign availability in other controlled countries. Requires the President to pursue negotiations to remove the foreign availability of such exports in any case in which national security export controls are maintained with respect to controlled countries (other than China).
Requires the Secretary of State, in any case where national security export controls are maintained with respect to China or any other noncontrolled country notwithstanding foreign availability in such country, to pursue negotiations with the country involved. Prohibits requiring a validated license for exports to such country if such negotiations produce an agreement providing for export controls by such country and, one year after the country has maintained such controls, the Secretary of State determines that such controls are comparable to the national security export controls imposed by the United States. Provides that such negotiations be carried out when certain technical advisory committees determine that the goods or technology with respect to which such committees were appointed have become available to a country subject to national security export controls.
Imposes a timetable for responses by the Secretary of Commerce to allegations by export license applicants that foreign availability exists.
Defines foreign availability in controlled countries to include availability of any goods or technology in any country: (1) from which such goods or technology is not restricted for export to any controlled country; or (2) in which such export restrictions are determined to be ineffective.
Requires the President to include industry representatives in the U.S. delegation to the Coordinating Committee for purposes of reviewing the control list.
Prohibits the Customs Service from seizing or detaining for more than ten days any shipment of goods or technology which are ineligible for export under a general license.
Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for FY 1987 and 1988 to carry out the Export Administration Act of 1979.
Authorizes appropriations to the Customs Service for FY 1987 and 1988 to enforce the export controls under such Act.
Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to evaluate and report to the Congress on the activities of the Department of Defense regarding the review of export license applications for the exports to noncontrolled countries.
Subtitle C: Debt, Development, and World Growth - Requires the President and the Secretary of the Treasury to take the necessary steps to continue ongoing negotiations with West Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan and to initiate negotiations with other countries in order to: (1) coordinate macroeconomic policies so as to promote stable exchange rates and growth patterns; (2) achieve expansionist economic policies and agreements which have the specified purpose of increasing the market for U.S. exports and exports from developing countries; (3) promote growth-oriented economic policies; (4) encourage countries to base growth on a balance of foreign and domestic demand and to discourage excessive reliance on exports for growth; and (5) advise U.S. trading partners that the United States is prepared to retaliate in cases involving unfair trade practices.
Declares that a key U.S. objective in economic summits is to obtain the agreement of the participants to adopt growth-oriented national economic policies and to increase the size of the market for U.S. exports and exports from developing countries. Requires such objective to be placed on the agenda of all economic summits to which the United States is a party. Requires reports to the Congress on such meetings.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that increases in the development of developing countries and the economic recovery of the United States and other industrialized countries can only be assured if world trade is expanded and market access for all countries is increased.
Declares that it is U.S. policy that any foreign assistance provided by the United States to developing countries shall be consistent with and supportive of long-term trade liberalization in those countries.
Reaffirms congressional support for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Declares that OPIC should increase its loan guaranty and direct investment programs.
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require OPIC to issue at least a specified amount in guaranties and to make loans in at least a specified amount in each fiscal year. Provides for an increase in OPIC staff to administer its expanded programs.
Reaffirms congressional support for the Trade and Development Program. Increases the authorized appropriations for FY 1987 for such program. Establishes such program as an independent agency of the International Development Cooperation Agency.
Directs the President to establish an interagency group on countertrade. Requires such group to review U.S. policy on countertrade and make recommendations on the use of countertrade as a method of enhancing bilateral U.S. economic assistance programs and on expanding the information available on countertrade.
Subtitle D: Protection of United States Business Interests Abroad - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding international protection of intellectual property.
Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Trading with the Enemy Act to delete the provisions which set forth the duties of the Office of Alien Property. Directs the Attorney General to cover into the Treasury, to the credit of miscellaneous receipts, all sums from property vested in or transferred to the Attorney General under the Trading with the Enemy Act: (1) which is received after enactment of this Act; or (2) which is received before such time and which had not yet been covered into the Treasury, other than any such sums which are the subject matter of a judicial action or proceeding.
Deletes the provision requiring an annual report on all proceedings under such Act.
Exempts from import restrictions under such Act the importation of informational materials from any country.
Directs the President to establish an interagency group to be known as the United States-Mexico Bilateral Commission which shall: (1) serve as the formal mechanism for the conduct of economic relations between the United States and Mexico; and (2) provide a channel of communication between the United States and Mexico pertaining to economic relations. Requires the Chairman of the Commission to report to the Congress every six months on the activities of the Commission.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States and Mexico should hold a bilateral economic summit. Sets forth the objectives of the summit. Urges the President to enter into negotiations with Mexico in order to begin talks between the United States and Mexico aimed at achieving objectives.
Title IV: Banking Committee Provisions - Subtitle A: Competitive Exchange Rate Act of 1986 - Competitive Exchange Rate Act of 1986 - Makes achievement of a competitive exchange rate for the dollar a top priority of the United States in international economic negotiations.
Directs the President to seek to negotiate with other countries through an international conference in order to: (1) review the existing international exchange rate system; (2) develop an agenda for reform of that system to provide for long-term exchange rate stability; and (3) recommend proposals for better coordination of macroeconomic policies of the major industrialized nations and greater stability in trade, current account balances, and the exchange rates.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a Strategic Currency Reserve, consisting of assets denominated in foreign currencies purchased through intervention in the exchange markets, to be used as part of a coordinated international strategy to achieve exchange rate equilibrium and a competitive exchange rate for the dollar. Directs the Secretary, in coordination with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, to purchase and sell foreign currencies from the Reserve at appropriate times to offset speculative movements of the dollar away from its competitive exchange rate or to assist the gradual movement of the dollar toward a competitive exchange rate.
Requires the Secretary to submit to the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs a biannual report on: (1) the change in the exchange rate required to balance the U.S. merchandise trade account and the current account; (2) the effects on production, employment, and international competitive performance of U.S. manufacturing, agricultural, and mining industries when the dollar exceeds the exchange rate level consistent with either merchandise trade or current account balance; (3) the conditions that cause the actual exchange rate of the dollar to exceed the competitive exchange rate; (4) recommendations for changing U.S. economic policy to attain current account balance; (5) any International Monetary Fund recommendations for changes in U.S. policies and an explanation of the Secretary's plans to implement or ignore such recommendations; (6) progress by the Secretary and any other Government employee in adjusting the actual exchange rate of the dollar toward its competitive exchange rate and in reforming the international exchange rate system to reduce instability and disequilibrium in exchange rates; (7) the Secretary's objectives and the obstacles concerning domestic economic policies that are consistent with achieving current account balance, intervention in exchange markets, and negotiations with other countries on exchange rate system reform, together with the reasons for any lack of progress in such negotiations; (8) the impact of currency transactions under this Act on foreign exchange markets; and (9) the extent to which the actual exchange rate of each country with which the United States has substantial bilateral trade competition or bilateral capital flows differs from that country's competitive exchange rate level and the trends and policies affecting that country's exchange rate and international capital flows. Directs each Committee to consult with the Secretary and report to its House on the Secretary's intended policies.
Directs the Secretary to transmit to the Congress all official U.S. documents submitted to the International Monetary Fund in the course of any requested consultation with the United States and all Fund documents arising from that consultation.
Subtitle B: International Debt, Trade, and Financial Stabilization Act, - Chapter 1: Short Title; Purposes; and Definitions - Cites this subtitle as the International Debt, Trade, and Financial Stabilization Act.
Chapter 2: Measuring the Impact of the Debt Crisis on World Trade, Development, and Financial Stability - Sets forth congressional findings with respect to the impact of the debt crisis on world trade, development, and financial stability.
Chapter 3: Increasing World Bank Effectiveness - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to propose to the Bank's other directors that a temporary adjustment be made in current disbursement practices of such Bank that would permit, for at most four years, full release of committed loan funds to the central bank of the recipient country at the beginning of a project period, when appropriate and upon request of the recipient country to the extent that: (1) adequate accounting safeguards can be maintained to insure that the terms of the respective loan agreements are honored; and (2) the recipient country adequately decribes how the accelerated disbursement will contribute to long-term economic growth.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executives Directors of the multilateral development banks to propose to the other directors of such banks that each bank's share of any project loan already approved and awaiting disbursement should be immediately increased by the appropriate amount taking into account the current ability of the recipient country to meet its counterpart funding requirements.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in order to promote the economic policy adjustments which are needed to help developing countries, to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the World Bank to propose to the other directors of the World Bank that: (1) an increase be made in the amount of structural adjustment lending by the World Bank and any percentage limitation on the number of structural adjustment loans in such bank's lending portfolio be removed (reflecting the U.S. policy of favoring the addition of structural adjustment lending to the bank's loan mix); (2) appropriate action be taken to insure that the aims of such lending can be achieved; (3) the conditionality of structural adjustment lending should include innovative requirements designed to minimize any adverse impact of such lending on the lowest income groups in the developing countries; and (4) appropriate action be taken to ensure that such lending is consistent with environmentally sound and responsibile development practices.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Director of the World Bank to enter into negotiations with other directors of such Bank and to propose the establishment of a fund within the World Bank that would make small-scale credit available to lower income groups in developing countries which have had no access to such credit.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of increased reliance on structural adjustment lending as a means of achieving economic reforms.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) transfers of capital from developing countries pose an important problem that must be solved before the international debt crisis can be resolved and economic growth in developing countries can be enhanced and sustained; and (2) the U.S. Executive Director of the World Bank should initiate discussions with other directors of the Bank to develop policy proposals to reduce the level of capital transfers from the developing countries and the impact of such capital flight on the economies of such countries and report any such proposal to the Secretary and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of the multilateral development banks to propose to the other directors of their banks that each such bank should increase lending in order to reform the financial sectors of indebted developing countries with particular emphasis on increases in loans for activities which would enlarge the capital markets of such countries and encourage domestic savings in such countries.
Requires the President to initiate negotiations with other member nations of the World Bank to: (1) provide for the establishment of a banking entity or affiliate which would be authorized to offer stock for public subscription and borrow money and issue bonds and notes; and (2) authorize such banking entity or affiliate to make or guarantee loans.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study the need for a general increase in the amount of capital of the World Bank. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to specified congressional committees on the findings of such study.
Chapter 4: Increasing World Trade and Economic Growth - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the expansion and liberalization of world trade can make an important contribution to the development of developing countries and sustained growth in other countries.
Declares that it is the U.S. policy that any aid provided to developing nations shall be consistent with and supportive of long-term trade liberalization in those countries and in worldwide markets.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of the multilateral development banks to: (1) propose to the other directors of their banks that all new loans or guarantees made by such banks shall be consistent with the reduction of existing trade and investment barriers or of market access limitations of the recipient countries; (2) vote against any loan that would be inconsistent with the advancement of trade liberlization and increased market access within recipient countries; (3) propose to the other directors of their banks that the structural adjustment loans and the sectoral loans described in chapter 3 not be approved until an assessment is made of the extent to which the extension of such loans will promote trade liberalization and market access; (4) provide information and assistance to U.S. firms interested in bidding on projects in recipient countries and investigate complaints by U.S. bidders about the awarding of bank procurement contracts; (5) promote opportunities for export from the United States; and (6) ensure that project loans do not contribute to world market surpluses.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Director of the World Bank to propose to the other directors of the Bank that the Bank coordinate its actions more closely with the actions of the Contracting Parties to the GATT so that GATT actions that liberalize trade are rewarded by appropriate additional World Bank capital.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Director of the World Bank to propose to the other directors of the Bank that the Bank seek GATT cooperation in acquiring information for and in preparing the bank's annual country-by-country review.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to arrange for the appointment of a foreign commerce officer to serve with each of the U.S. Executive Directors of multilateral development banks.
Requires the President and the Secretary of the Treasury to try to continue ongoing negotiations with West Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan and to initiate negotiations with other contries in order to: (1) coordinate macroeconomic policies to promote economic growth and stable exchange rates; (2) achieve sustained economic growth and thereby increase the market for exports from the United States and developing countries; (3) promote growth-oriented economic policies; and (4) encourage all countries to base growth on a balance of foreign and domestic demand.
Declares that a key U.S. objective in its participation in international economics or trade discussions is to encourage industrial countries to pursue policies that will promote economic growth and increase the size of the market for exports from the United States and the developing countries. Requires the President and the Secretary of the Treasury to try to place such discussions on the agenda of any economic summit and to report to the Congress on the results of such efforts.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to initiate consultations with countries that hold debt of developing countries in order to examine possible options for reducing the debt burden of developing countries that export oil.
Requires the President to arrange for bartering surplus agricultural commodities for oil from debtor developing countries.
Chapter 5: Insuring the Stability of the International Financial System - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Comptroller of the Currency and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, to explore the changes in the structure of U.S. capital markets and the regulation of private financial institutions which would be necessary to resolve the international debt crisis in a manner which is consistent with both increased growth in debtor nations and increased stability of the U.S. financial system. Sets forth certain proposals to be analyzed in such study. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on such study.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of the multilateral development banks to propose to the other directors of the Bank that: (1) each bank make greater use of co-financing to encourage increased commercial bank participation in lending by such bank; and (2) steps be taken to make credits available to satisfy the capital needs of small businesses owned by the very poorest individuals in the developing countries.
Chapter 6: Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency - Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Act - Authorizes the President to accept membership for the United States in the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (a part of the World Bank). Provides for: (1) a U.S. Governor and Alternate Governor of the Agency; (2) application of certain sections of the Bretton Woods Agreement Act; (3) certain restrictions on U.S. financing of the Agency; and (4) Federal Reserve Banks acting as depositories of the Agency.
Grants Federal courts jurisdiction over actions by or against the Agency.
Chapter 7: Inter-American Development Bank - Amends the Inter-American Development Bank Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank to agree to specified amendments to the Articles of Agreement.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank to propose the other directors of such bank that any replenishment agreement which is negotiated after enactment of this Act allow for the waiver of country program limitations contained in the replenishment agreement if the directors make specified findings.
Subtitle C: Competitive Tied Aid Fund Act - Amends the Trade and Development Enhancement Act of 1983 to require approval of tied aid credit financing by a majority of the members of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. (Current law requires unanimous consent of the National Advisory Council.) Requires the National Advisory Council to: (1) establish policy and procedure guidelines for tied aid credit programs; (2) oversee the operation of such programs; (3) recommend improvements in the manner in which those programs are carried out; (4) encourage private financial institutions to participate in those programs; and (5) develop a system for monitoring the use of tied aid credit programs by foreign governments. Sets forth specific duties with respect to establishing the policy and procedure guidelines.
Requires the President to submit a quarterly report to the Congress on tied aid credit program activities. Sets forth information to be included in such report.
Terminates the authorities contained in the Trade and Development Enhancement Act of 1983 upon certification by the President to the Congress that a majority of the National Advisory Council have found that: (1) the United States has reached an agreement with certain other countries that ends abuse of tied aid credits; and (2) those countries are honoring the terms of the agreement.
Authorizes the Agency for International Development to use its Economic Support Funds to finance tied aid credit activities.
Subtitle D: Council on Industrial Competitiveness Act - Council on Industrial Competitiveness Act - Establishes in the executive branch an independent agency to be known as the Council on Industrial Competitiveness. Requires the Council to: (1) gather and analyze information regarding the competitiveness of U.S. industries; (2) create an institutional forum where national leaders will identify economic problems inhibiting the competitiveness of industries, develop long-term strategies to address those problems, and create broad consensus in support of those strategies; (3) make recommendations on issues crucial to the development of coordinated industrial strategies; (4) develop and promote policies which enhance the productivity and international competitiveness of U.S. industries; and (5) assess and make recommendations on private sector requests for governmental assistance. Directs the Council to examine and make available to the public all international agreements on foreign trade that have been agreed to by the United States. Directs the Council to monitor, and maintain public records regarding, the effect of imports on domestic industries.
Requires the Council, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, to transmit a report to the Congress and the President containing recommendations for changes in any Federal policy necessary to implement effective industrial strategies.
Requires the Council to make annual reports concerning the major industrial development priorities of the United States.
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987.
Title V: Education and Training for American Competitiveness - Education and Training for American Competitiveness Act - Subtitle A: Education for American Competitiveness - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle for FY 1987 and each succeeding year. Makes available 80 percent of such funds for chapter 1 and 20 percent for chapter 2.
Chapter 1: Education and Training to Strengthen the Competitiveness of Domestic Industry - Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) for purposes of this chapter to make grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) for programs to improve the education and skills of our current and future workers in those areas that will enhance their productivity and competitiveness.
Allots chapter 1 funds among States on the basis of relative numbers of unemployed individuals and of adults without high school degrees.
Sets forth requirements for submission, contents, and approval of State plans under this chapter. Encourages States to coordinate services under this chapter with those provided under the Training for Industrial Competitiveness provisions added by this Act to the Job Training Partnership Act.
Allows funds under this chapter to be used for programs of literacy training, vocational training services, and elementary and secondary education in mathematics, science, or foreign languages.
Makes such literacy training available to unemployed or underemployed individuals, displaced workers, illiterate adults, and illiterate-out-of-school youth.
Makes such vocational training services available to: (1) workers who have been or who are about to be adversely affected by foreign competition; (2) unemployed or underemployed individuals, for employment in new, expanding, or export-related industries or businesses; (3) current employees, in order to make their existing industries and businesses more competitive; and (4) individuals in order to assist their entry into, or advancement in high technology occupations or to meet the technological demands of other industries or businesses.
Provides that such elementary or secondary level instruction in mathematics, science, or foreign languages be through programs to: (1) meet needs not being met under the Education for Economic Security Act (through activities such as education partnerships with business, industry, and labor, interdisciplinary programs, and after-school and summer advanced or supplementary programs); (2) begin preparation for advanced courses and careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; and (3) develop the specific technological and foreign language skills required by local industries and businesses.
Sets forth eligible service providers under this chapter.
Limits administrative costs under this chapter.
Chapter 2: Postsecondary Education Programs to Improve Instruction in Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Languages - Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) summer language institutes and science and mathematics workshops; (2) special equipment acquisition and workshops; and (3) educational partnership programs.
Provides for competitive selection of grant recipients. Limits the amount of grant awards.
Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires the institution, or consortium of such institutions, to assure that it will obtain at least one-half of the cost of the programs with non-Federal funds.
Provides that the grants for summer institutes (either here or abroad) for institutions of higher education and local educational agencies to provide advanced instruction to students in mathematics, science, and computer technology may be used for: (1) costs of resource sharing with government, private business, industry, and institutions; (2) stipends or salary supplements for university faculty and staff involved; (3) curriculum development; (4) textbooks, materials, and supplies; and (5) student transportation costs. Prohibits such funds from being used in connection with the general overhead costs of the applicant.
Chapter 3: Educational Telecommunications - Provides for a national educational telecommunications demonstration program. Authorizes the Secretary to provide matching grant assistance to a nonprofit State corporation for a model regional advanced educational telecommunications network and technology resource centers. Provides that such centers shall enable educational institutions in the region to share resources and improve and expand instruction in mathematics, science, foreign languages, vocational education, continuing education, and basic and remedial education skills. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
Chapter 4: College Research Facilities - Directs the Secretary to establish a university research laboratory modernization program. Requires the criteria for funding a project at any university to include: (1) the quality of the research and training at such facilities; (2) the congruence of the institution's research activities with the future research needs of certain Federal agencies; and (3) the contribution which the project will make toward meeting national, regional, and State research and training needs. Allocates 15 percent of the funds available for such program for awards to institutions that received less than $10,000,000 in Federal research and development aid in each of the two preceding fiscal years. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this chapter.
Subtitle B: Training for Industrial Competitiveness - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle for FY 1987 and succeeding fiscal years, to fund programs added by this Act to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).
Allocates such funds as follows: (1) 60 percent for trade-impacted worker assistance programs; (2) 20 percent for joint labor-management training programs; (3) nine percent for demonstration programs (for FY 1987 and 1988 only); (4) ten percent for State job bank systems (for FY 1987 through 1990 only); and (5) one percent for certain studies under this Act. Reallocates such funds after the FY 1987 and 1988 limited purposes are completed.
Amends title IV (Federally Administered Programs) of the JTPA to add a new part H: Training for Industrial Competitiveness. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary, for purposes of this subtitle) to: (1) provide training and employment assistance to trade-impacted workers; (2) provide financial and technical assistance to labor-management committees; and (3) establish demonstration programs to improve worker adjustment to changing world markets.
Sets forth requirements for trade-impacted worker assistance programs. Directs the Secretary to provide, on a competitive basis, financial assistance to eligible public or private nonprofit programs for training and employment assistance to eligible workers in industries that the Secretary determines have been adversely affected by international trade. Allows eligible individuals to be provided with: (1) intensive job search assistance; (2) basic skills training and other educational assistance; (3) job training; (4) job development; (5) training in job skills for which demand exceeds supply; (6) supportive services, including commuting assistance and financial and personal counseling; (7) pre-layoff assistance; and (8) relocation assistance. Authorizes subsistence stipends if the enrolled individual is not currently receiving unemployment compensation or trade readjustment assistance. Requires that such services shall: (1) be in addition to, and coordinated with, those provided under title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of JTPA; and (2) supplement and not supplant any other federally assisted training assistance or services. Includes specified considerations under criteria for determining if an industry has been adversely affected by international trade.
Sets forth requirements for joint labor-management training programs. Directs the Secretary to award, on a competitive basis, grants to labor-management committees to provide not more than one-half of the cost of programs of training, retraining, and education for eligible workers. Sets forth grant eligibility requirements for labor-management committees and program eligibility requirements for workers. Allows committees to use grant funds to provide the following services to eligibile workers: (1) early warning adjustment services in the event of mass layoffs or plant closings (including personal and financial counseling, referral to community services, career counseling, job search assistance, job development, retraining, and relocation assistance); (2) aptitude testing and career counseling; (3) on-the-job training; (4) institutional training; (5) tuition assistance; (6) upgrading of skills; and (7) education, including basic skills, literacy training, and more advanced education. Sets forth requirements for cooperative agreements for such committees.
Sets forth requirements for demonstration programs. Directs the Secretary, within six months after enactment of this Act, to establish programs to demonstrate the feasibility of providing worker retraining payments to workers who: (1) are or were employed in an industry determined to have been adversely affected by international trade; and (2) meet specified criteria for dislocated workers. Limits such payments to $4,000 each, to enable such workers to purchase their own job search, education, training, and retraining services from certified providers. Sets forth program evaluation requirements. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on such programs.
Adds to JTPA new provisions for State job bank systems. Directs the Secretary to make funds from this Act available through the U.S. Employment Service for the development and implementation of computerized job bank systems in each State, for purposes such as: (1) identification of, and referral to, job openings; (2) information on occupational supply and demand; and (3) use by career information, including school counseling, programs. Encourages compatibility of such systems with other systems used in employment and training program administration. Requires special consideration to be given to the advice of State occupational coordinating committees and other users of such systems.
Directs the Secretary, within six months after enactment of this Act, to commence a study of the feasibility of providing portability for pensions and health benefits for dislocated workers. Requires such study to also evaluate the benefits of providing early retirement benefits without penalty for older dislocated workers. Requires a report of such study to be submitted to the Congress within 18 months after enactment of this Act.
Includes among the data which the Secretary is required to maintain under JTPA data on the mass layoffs or closings that are caused by or substantially related to international trade.
Directs the Secretary, under JTPA and in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, to develop statistical data relating to the permanent dislocation of farmers and ranchers due to farm and ranch failures, including those caused by or substantially related to international trade. Directs the Secretary to publish an annual report on such data, including an analysis of whether farmers and ranchers are being adequately counted in the annual employment and unemployment rates.
Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to conduct a study to identify the countries that fail to recognize and enforce, and the foreign producers that fail to comply with, internationally recognized labor rights. Requires an annual report of such study to be submitted to the Congress.
Title VI: Agricultural Trade - Subtitle A: Improvement of Agricultural Trade Policy and Market Development Activities - Designates the Department of Agriculture the lead agency for agricultural trade, subject to subtitle D of title I of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary, for purposes of title VI) to coordinate Federal actions relating to agricultural trade.
Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, in the Department of Agriculture an Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and International Affairs and an Under Secretary of Agriculture for Commodity Programs. Authorizes the President to appoint up to two additional Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture.
Transfers the International Economics Divisions of the Economic Research Service and the World Agricultural Outlook Board of the Department of Agriculture to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture.
Directs the Secretary to establish within the Foreign Agricultural Service a commodity division to promote value-added agricultural products not covered by cooperator agreements and to help to develop a cooperator organization to support the marketing role of the division.
Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of the General Sales Manager within the Department of Agriculture. Places the General Sales Manager under the direction of the Under Secretary of Trade. Makes the General Sales Manager responsible for the Foreign Agricultural Service programs dealing with: (1) export sales; (2) market development; (3) agricultural trade offices; and (4) the requirements of title I and II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department of Agriculture an office which, under the direction of the Under Secretary for Trade, shall: (1) monitor the agricultural export trade promotion practices of foreign nations; and (2) submit quarterly reports of its findings to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the level of subsidies provided by other nations and the United States for agricultural exports.
Directs the Secretary to establish an office in the Department of Agriculture which, under the direction of the Under Secretary of Trade, shall: (1) provide assistance to U.S. citizens and organizations damaged by unfair agricultural trade policies in cases before specified agencies; (2) provides such persons with information on such policies and their adverse effects; and (3) report on unfair agricultural trade policies to the appropriate Federal agencies. Requires the Secretary to report on the assistance provided by such office. Requires the office to coordinate with the Fair Trade Advocates Branch established under title I of this Act.
Directs the Secretary to provide technical services to the USTR on agricultural trade matters.
Directs the Secretary to prepare, for submission with the budget, a Long Term Agricultural Trade Strategy Report establishing recomended policy and spending goals for U.S. agricultural trade and exports for one-year, five-year, and ten-year periods. Sets forth information to be included in such report. Directs the President to identify any changes that might modify the long-term policy contained in a previous report. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Agricultural Trade Policy and Evaluation which, under the direction of the Under Secretary for Trade, shall coordinate the preparation of such report.
Declares that it is U.S. policy to use food aid and agriculturally related foreign aid programs more effectively to develop the markets for U.S. agricultural commodities.
Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the extent that food aid and agriculturally related foreign aid programs of the previous year, other than direct feeding or emergency food aid programs, serve direct market development objectives for U.S. agricultural commodities and products.
Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department of Agriculture the Office of Food Aid Policy whose director shall: (1) serve under the direction of the General Sales Manager; (2) help develop a comprehensive strategy for coordinating agriculturally related foreign aid, food aid, and market development objectives for U.S. agricultural commodities; (3) monitor the compliance of Federal food aid programs with Department of Agriculture market development objectives; and (4) serve as the principal staff representative of the Secretary in deliberations of the staff working group of the Subcommittee on Food Aid of the Development Coordination Committee.
Authorizes the Secretary to make available to cooperator organizations commodities owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation.
Authorizes the Secretary to contract with individuals outside the United States for personal services to be performed outside the United States.
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary: (1) to give priority to interested foreign purchasers who have traditionally purchased U.S. agricultural commodities and continue or begin to purchase such commodities in equal or increased quantities; and (2) report to specified congressional committees every 30 days a current list of countries provided such commodities and a justification for their participation in such export enhancement program.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should expedite the implementation of specified sections of the Food Security Act of 1985 relating to barter of agricultural commodities.
Subtitle B: Domestic Markets for Agricultural Commodities and Products - Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the effect of imported honey on U.S. honey producers; (2) the availability of honey bee pollination within the United States; and (3) whether imports of honey tend to interfere with or render ineffective the honey price support program of the Department of Agriculture.
Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the USTR, to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the effect of imports of roses over a specified time period on the domestic rose growing industry; and (2) an economic analysis of production and marketing factors of such imports.
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to require the ITC to consider certain assessments imposed on tobacco producers in determining whether tobacco imports materially interfere with the tobacco price support program.
Directs the Secretary to compile and publish data on: (1) the total value and quantity of imported raw and processed agricultural products; and (2) the total amount of production and consumption of domestically produced raw and processed agricultural products.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that if a country, in violation of the GATT, imposes import restrictions on U.S. citrus fruits and beef products, the President should exclude imports of similar or other products from such country until such policies are eliminated.
Subtitle C: Miscellaneous - Requires the following type of milk to be treated as other-source milk and to be allocated as milk received from producer-handlers for purposes of classifying milk under the milk marketing program: (1) milk produced by dairies owned or controlled by foreign persons or entities; and (2) milk produced by dairies financed by or with the use of industrial revenue bonds.
Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to prohibit: (1) recombining any dockage or foreign material once removed from grain with any grain that may be exported; and (2) adding dockage or foreign material to any grain that may be exported when the result will be to reduce the grade and quality of the grain or to reduce its ability to resist spoilage. Permits adjustment of the moisture content of grain that may be exported by blending grains with different moisture contents.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the administration should continue to oppose actions by the European Community to impose import quotas on oilseeds and oilseed products in Portugal, impose a grain purchase requirement on Portugal, and place variable levies on corn and grain sorghum entering Spain; and (2) unless the European Community rescinds such actions or compensates the United States for trading losses, the administration should impose trade restrictions that reestablish the balance of concessions under the GATT and other international trade agreements.
Title VII: Foreign Corrupt Practices and Adjustment Plan Review, and Textile Import Adjustments - Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to prohibit: (1) certain securities issuers and domestic concerns from offering or making payments to foreign officials in order to assist the issuers or concerns in obtaining or retaining business, including the procurement of legislative, judicial, regulatory, or other action in seeking more favorable treatment by a foreign government; or (2) any person, from knowingly or with reckless disregard offering such money or thing of value to a foreign official for such purposes. Declares that it is a defense to actions under this title that: (1) a payment was made to expedite or secure the performance of a routine governmental action by a foreign official; or (2) the payment or offer was legal in the country involved.
Declares that an issuer or concern may not be held vicariously liable for a violation by its employee, who is not an officer or director, if: (1) such issuer or concern has established reasonable procedures to prevent and detect any such violation; and (2) the supervisor of such employee used due diligence to prevent the commission of the offense by that employee.
Requires the Attorney General to determine to what extent compliance with such Acts would be enhanced and to what extent the business community would be assisted by further clarification of the corrupt practices provisions. Requires the Attorney General to issue guidelines and procedures to help businesses comply with such provisions. Requires the Attorney General to issue binding responses to specific inquiries on compliance with such provisions. Sets forth penalties for violations of such provisions.
Expressess the sense of the Congress that the President should pursue the negotiation of an international agreement on the acts prohibited with respect to issuers and domestic concerns by this title. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within one year of enactment of this Act, on: (1) the progress of such negotiations; and (2) additional steps that may be taken if such negotiations do not eliminate the competitive disadvantage of U.S. businesses that results when persons from other countries commit the acts proscribed by this title; and (3) possible actions that could be taken to promote international cooperation to prevent bribery of foreign officials, candidates, or parties in third countries. Sets forth information to be included in such report.
Requires a review committee to monitor actions taken by an industry to improve its competitive position if such industry prepared an industry adjustment plan during an import relief investigation and the industry received import relief as a result of such investigation. Requires the review committee to make administrative and legislative recommendations as necessary to achieve the objectives of the plan. Requires the review committee to consult with the firms and workers in the industry if the review committee finds that the objectives of the industry adjustment plan have not been met. Authorizes the USTR to terminate or modify the import relief if the review committee finds that the industry's failure to meet the objectives of the industry adjustment plan is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives specified in such plan.
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to institute procedures to expedite the interagency process for requesting consultations and negotiations on limitations on shipments of textiles and apparel and periodic adjustments to those limitations.
Title VIII: Tariff and Customs Provisions - Subtitle A: Miscellaneous Tariff and Customs Provisions - Chapter 1: Permanent Changes in Tariff Treatment - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to repeal the prohibitions against imports of furskins from the Soviet Union.
Reduces the duty on salted and dried plums.
Imposes a duty on natural unconcentrated, non-reconstituted grapefruit juice.
Grants duty-free treatment to hatters' fur.
Treats plywoods with tongued, grooved, lapped, or otherwise worked edges as plywood for tariff purposes.
Creates a new tariff classification to cover imports of certain woven fabrics of man-made fibers.
Imposes a duty on uranium hexafluoride that is imported for use in U.S. reactors and is a product of a country that requires that uranium mined in that country be converted or upgraded into uranium hexafluoride before its export. Provides for termination of such duty by the President.
Includes all forms of silicone in the term "synthetic plastics materials." Imposes a duty on silicone resins and materials.
Creates a new tariff classification to cover the imports of motor fuel blending stocks. Imposes a duty on motor fuel blending stocks.
Provides that television picture tubes imported in combination with, or incorporated into, other articles are to be classified as television picture tubes (subject to an increased duty) unless they are incorporated or put into kits for incorporation into complete television receivers or into certain other fully assembled units.
Imposes an 11 percent duty on all imports on or before October 31, 1987, of television picture tubes which would be included in such assembled units but for this Act. Grants duty-free treatment to all imports on or before December 31, 1990, of certain small color television picture tubes.
Provides a duty on bicycle-type speedometers and parts.
Excludes the dials of watches and clocks from the special marking requirements. Provides that certain information shall be legibly (currently "conspicuously") marked with specified information. Permits such marking to be done by mold-marking. Permits manufacturers to put certain information on watch bezels. Deletes the requirement of including information on watch adjustments.
Reclassifies and imposes a duty on casein, caseinates, and milk protein concentrate for human food and animal feed use.
Chapter 2: Temporary Changes in Tariff Treatment - Suspends through December 31, 1990 the tariff on: (1) color couplers and coupler intermediates; (2) p-sulfobenzoic acid, potassium salt; (3) 2,2-oxamidobis-ethyl3(3,5-di-tertbutyl4-hydroxy-penyl); (4) dicyclohexylbenzothiazylsufenamide; (5) 2,4 dichloro-5-sulfamoyl benzoic acid; (6) derivatves of N-(4-2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropoxy) phenyl) acetamide; (7) 1,2-dimethyl 1-3, 5 diphenyl-pyrazolium methyl sulfate; (8) dicofol; (9) methylene blue; (10) 3,5-dinitro-o-toluamide; (11) butyl chloride; (12) nonbenzenoid vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride-ethylene terpolymer; (13) tungsten ore; (14) certain stuffed toy figures; (15) certain plastic sheeting used as radiation shielding material; (16) certain doll wig yarns; (17) wool carding and spinning machines; (18) generator lighting sets for bicycles, bicycle chains, and certain other bicycle parts; (19) 1-(3- sulfopropyl) pyridinium hydroxide; (20) d-6-Methoxy-a-methyl-2-naphthaleneactic acid and its sodium salt; (21) certain pesticides (dinocap, mixtures of dicofol and application adjuvants and mixtures of mancozeb and dinocap); (22) cholestyramine resin USP; (23) 3-amino-3-methyl-1-butyne; (24) maneb, zineb, mancozeb, and metiram; (25) nicotine resins; and (26) hosiery knitting needles.
Extends the current suspension of duty until December 31, 1990, on: (1) mixtures of mashed or macerated hot red peppers and salt; (2) cantaloupes; (3) certain wools; (4) needlecraft display models; (5) triphenyl phosphate; (6) sulfapyridine; (7) synthetic rutile; (8) certain clock radios; (9) certain machines designed for heat-set, stretch texturing of continuous man-made fibers; (10) hosiery knitting machines; (11) double-headed latch needles; (12) certain stuffed dolls and toy figures; (13) umbrella frames; and (14) crude feathers and down.
Suspends the tariff on certain knitwear made in Guam until November 1, 1992.
Suspends the tariff on the personal effects and equipment of participants and officials involved in the Pan American Games until September 30, 1987.
Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to extend, through December 31, 1990, the exclusion of imported bicycle parts that are not subsequently re-exported from the exemption of the customs laws that is applicable to a foreign trade zone.
Chapter 3: Other Customs and Effective Date Provisions - Allows watches to be designated as eligible articles for purposes of the generalized system of preferences.
Requires the containers of imported preserved mushrooms to indicate in English the country in which the mushrooms were grown in order to comply with labeling laws relating to imports.
Amends the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to charge a user fee to individuals for the use of customs services at the Pontiac/Oakland, Michigan, airport.
Prohibits any ethyl alcohol or mixture of ethyl alcohol from being considered eligible for exemption from duty as the growth or product of an insular possession or of a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act unless the ethyl alcohol or mixture is an indigenous product of that insular possession or beneficiary country. Extends such prohibition through December 31, 1992. Exempts certain imports of ethyl alcohol from such prohibition if it is imported during 1987 and 1988 and if it was produced in a certain type of facility that was in operation on January 1, 1986. Sets forth the criteria for establishing that ethyl alcohol or an ethyl alcohol mixture is an indigenous product of an insular possession or beneficiary country.
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish standards for setting the terms and conditions for cancellation of bonds or charges.
Provides for the duty-free entry of certain articles for use by a named organization in the construction of an optical telescope in Hawaii.
Provides for the reliquidation, without liability of the importer of record for antidumping duties, of specified entries.
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reliquidate, as duty-free, four specified entries covering tubular tin products, if a certificate of actual use for the products is submitted to the U.S. Customs Service at the port of entry within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
Subtitle B: Implementation of Nairobi Protocol - Chapter 1: Short Title, Purpose, Reference, and Effective Date - Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1986 - Declares that it is the purpose of this subtitle to: (1) provide for the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol to the Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials (the Florence Agreement); (2) modify the duty-free treatment accorded under the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1982 (the 1982 Act), under the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1966 and under another Act; and (3) continue the safeguard provisions concerning certain imported articles provided for in the 1982 Act.
Chapter 2: Amendments to Implement the Nairobi Protocol - Repeals the 1982 Act.
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States (TSUS) to provide duty-free treatment for: (1) catalogs of visual and auditory material of an educational scientific, or cultural character; (2) architectural, engineering, industrial, or commercial drawings and plans; (3) loose illustrations, reproduction proofs or reproduction films used for the production of books; (4) certain other articles in microfilm, microfiche, and similar film media; and (5) crossword puzzle books. Provides for duty-free treatment of certain other articles whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media.
Prohibits granting duty-free treatment to developed photographic film unless either: (1) a Federal agency determines that such article is visual or auditory material of an educational, scientific, or cultural character within the meaning of the Agreement for Facilitating the International Circulation of Visual and Auditory Materials of an Educational, Scientific, or Cultural Character; or (2) such article is imported by, or for the use of, an educational, scientific or cultural institution and is certified to be visual or auditory material of an educational, scientific, or cultural character or to have been produced by the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies. Provides duty-free treatment for articles determined to be visual or auditory materials in accordance with specified provisions.
Provides duty-free treatment for: (1) tools specially designed to maintain or repair certain scientific instruments or apparatus; and (2) articles specially designed or adapted for the use or benefit of the blind or other physically or mentally handicapped persons.
Chapter 3: Authority to Modify Certain Duty-Free Treatment Accorded Under This Subtitle - Authorizes the President to proclaim changes in the TSUS to narrow the scope of, place conditions on, or otherwise eliminate the duty-free treatment accorded the tools for scientific instruments and the articles for the blind or other handicapped persons under this Act if such duty-free treatment has significant adverse impact on a domestic industry. Authorizes the President to resume duty-free treatment of such articles under certain circumstances.
Authorizes the President to proclaim changes to the TSUS to remove or modify any conditions and restrictions imposed by this Act on the importation of certain visual and auditory material in order to implement certain provisions of the Nairobi Protocol.
Amends the TSUS to change the headnote relating to the method of applying for permission to import certain scientific instruments and apparatus.
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce, to obtain adequate statistical information on duty-free imports of articles for the blind and for other handicapped persons.
Referred to House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.
Referred to Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization.
Referred to Subcommittee on International Development Institutions and Finance.
Referred to Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation and Insurance.
Referred to Subcommittee on International Finance, Trade and Monetary Policy.
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Committee on Rules Granted a Modified Open Rule Providing Three and One Half Hours of Debate.
Rules Committee Resolution H.Res.456 Reported to House.
Called up by House by Rule.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
Considered by House Unfinished Business.
Considered by House Unfinished Business.
House Agreed to Amendments Adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 295 - 115 (Record Vote No: 141).
Roll Call #141 (House)Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 295 - 115 (Record Vote No: 141).
Roll Call #141 (House)Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Committee on Finance. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.
Committee on Finance. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.