Reps. John Garamendi, D-Calif., and Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., unveiled new legislation this week that they said will build on last year’s Ocean Shipping Reform Act (see 2303240068) by further expanding the Federal Maritime Commission's authority and “crack down” on China’s “attempts to influence America’s supply chain.” The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act, introduced March 29, would block U.S. ports from using Chinese state-sponsored logistics software, allow the FMC to investigate foreign shipping exchanges to “preempt improper business practices," authorize the commission to “streamline data standards” to aid maritime freight logistics and more.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said he sent a second round of letters to automakers and a round of letters to tier 1 suppliers about their ties to Xinjiang (see 2303280069) because he was disappointed by the tenor of the responses to his first round of letters in December.
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, introduced a bill that would terminate user fee requirements at certain airports by designating them as ports of entry. His bill is similar to one introduced last year by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that made the proposal for primary airports within 30 miles of a border (see 2208220048). The Gonzalez bill, which has no co-sponsors, was introduced March 27.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has introduced a bill that would end most favored nation tariff treatment for China, part of what he calls the workers' agenda.
Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., reintroduced a bill last week that would extend normal trade relations to Uzbekistani exports. It's co-sponsored by Reps. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., a member of the House Ways and Means Committee; Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas; and Don Bacon, R-Neb.
The Independent Mexico Labor Expert Board said it is not prepared to say that Mexico is not in compliance with the labor obligations under USMCA, given the steps the government is taking to reform the labor laws. But, with barely more than a year before the deadline to give all workers the chance to vote for independent unions, "we are increasingly concerned that the transition period for full implementation of Mexico’s labor reform will end next May with large segments of the old protection contract system still intact, including in critical manufacturing sectors and their suppliers."
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will be sharing information with Mexico about "the safety of biotech products," which is something the president of Mexico brought up repeatedly in explaining his decrees about genetically modified corn, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at a Senate oversight hearing.
The Treasury Department is working “24/7” to implement tax credit regulations and guidance under the Inflation Reduction Act, including credits that would support the domestic solar industry and help the U.S. reduce reliance on Chinese imports, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told the Senate Finance Committee this week. Yellen’s comments came as lawmakers expressed frustration with the implementation process, with at least one senator criticizing its approach to critical minerals.
The U.S. should do more to address China’s growing trade influence in Ecuador and throughout Latin America, Rep. Jason Smith, the chair of the House Way and Means Committee, said during a March 15 visit to Ecuador. Smith, R-Mo., told Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso and members of his Cabinet that he is concerned about the country’s “expanding trade ties” with China.
Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., complained this week that Brazil is not in the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and that APEP, once its negotiations are completed, is unlikely to increase U.S. agricultural exports to member countries. Young, speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the future of U.S.-Brazil relations, said farmers in his state rely on market access-opening trade deals, and said the U.S. should try to convince Brazil to lower its tariff barriers on corn, soybeans and ethanol.