House Trade Legislation Markup

Wednesday the House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a markup of six pieces of trade legislation, including the End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act, introduced by Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC), legislation to prevent importers from evading tariffs on Chinese goods.

In his opening statement Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) summarized the bills:

H.R. 5179, the “Anti-BDS Labeling Act”. According to Mr. Smith, "this legislation codifies into law a 2020 administrative change by Customs and Border Protection that requires labels to accurately reflect whether a product was made in Israel." 

• H.R. 5179, the “Anti-BDS Labeling Act”
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 5179, the “Anti-BDS Labeling Act”

H.R. 7981, the “Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act” "The bill will help ensure the U.S. is not importing products made or mined through the use of forced labor by demanding tough enforcement of our forced labor import ban under Section 307 of The Tariff Act of 1930."

• H.R. 7981, the “Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act”
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 7981, the “Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act”

H.R. 7979, the “End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act”  “This bill is an important first step to curbing the flow of de minimis shipments into the U.S. from China. It ends the de minimis privilege for goods affected by the Section 301 tariffs and other goods that threaten our national security and harm American producers. Simply put, this bill would make sure China can no longer use de minimis to escape the tariffs it rightfully owes and would cut de minimis value shipments from China in half. "

• H.R. 7979, the “End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act”
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 7979, the “End China’s De Minimis Abuse Act”

H.R. 7983, the “Stop Executive Overreach on Trade Agreements” "This bill defines an FTA to be an international agreement that is approved by Congress. This is something Members on both sides have raised concerns about. It promotes the mining of critical minerals in countries that are allowing market access to U.S. agriculture and other U.S. products, and promotes the development of those minerals here at home.

"This legislation forces the Administration to negotiate trade agreements that are sufficient to win support in Congress rather than made-up ‘frameworks,’ stated Mr. Smith.

• H.R. 7983, the “Stop Executive Overreach on Trade Agreements”
• JCT Description of H.R. 7983, the “Stop Executive Overreach on Trade Agreements”

H.R. 7980, the “End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024”   "The Treasury Department created multiple loopholes that allow both Chinese billionaires with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese battery manufacturers to benefit from American taxpayer dollars," said Mr. Smith.  "In fact, the foreign entity of concern regulations put out by the Department of Treasury are weaker than those put in place under the CHIPS Act to prevent foreign bad actors from gaining access to U.S. tax dollars. This legislation protects taxpayers and closes these loopholes."

• H.R. 7980, the “End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024”
• JCT Description of H.R. 7980, the “End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024”
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 7980, the “End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024”
• JCT Description of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 7980, the “End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of 2024” (Green Sheet)

H.R. 7986, the “Generalized System Preferences Reform Act” 

“GSP must be the tip of the spear in our approach to countering China," stated Mr. Smith.

“These reforms ... close opportunities for Chinese companies to receive special treatment by permanently banning China from the program altogether. It also includes penalties for countries who expand their economic and military relationship with China.

“This legislation offers a choice to developing nations: grow your economy alongside the United States or stay with China, but you cannot do both."

• H.R. 7986, the “Generalized System Preferences Reform Act”
• Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 7986, the “Generalized System Preferences Reform Act”
• Ways and Means Description of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 7986, the “Generalized System Preferences Reform Act” (Green Sheet)