[CTC] Ways & Means unanimously approves bill to set conditions for Taiwan trade deals

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Congress asserting its Constitutional authority over trade policy in the case of the recently-announced Taiwan deal has potential implications for IPEF and other trade agreements moving forward . . .


Ways & Means unanimously approves bill to set conditions for Taiwan trade deals
Inside US Trade, 6/13/23
 
The House Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would give Congress a say in trade talks with Taiwan and, more broadly, reassert congressional authority over trade dealings, the panel’s chair said in a statement.
 
The bill, announced last Friday <https://insidetrade.com/node/177099> by the leaders of Ways & Means as well as the Senate Finance Committee, is designed to “confirm” support for an initial agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan 21st Century Initiative on Trade, announced last month.
 
More pointedly, however, the leaders of the two trade committees of jurisdiction, angered by what they believe to be insufficient engagement with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on negotiations and plans for deals like the arrangement with Taiwan, say the bill will help “make sure the Administration does not ignore the constitutionally established role of Congress in international trade,” as Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) said in the statement <https://insidetrade.com/sites/insidetrade.com/files/documents/2023/jun/wto2023_0481a.pdf>.
 
The panel approved the “United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act” 42-0.
 
“In addition to being required by the Constitution, a Congressional vote will make sure these trade agreements are in the best interest of American workers, families, farmers, and small businesses. Congress will only approve trade agreements that put American workers and families first and foremost,” Smith said in opening remarks at the markup session. “What’s particularly encouraging about this legislation is that it represents a bipartisan effort to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority. I am proud to join Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate in leading this effort. When it comes to trade, we are speaking with one voice that this Administration, or any future Administration for that matter, must not circumvent Congress or the Constitution, and that the President does not have the authority to bind the United States in trade agreements without congressional involvement and approval.”
 
In addition to a provision allowing Congress to give its stamp of approval for the initial deal, with conditions attached to its implementation, the bill would impose “new congressional consultation and transparency requirements on the Administration with respect to the negotiation of any subsequent agreements arising under the initiative, and requires such agreements be subject to Congressional approval,” Smith’s statement contends.
 
In his opening remarks <https://insidetrade.com/sites/insidetrade.com/files/documents/2023/jun/wto2023_0481b.pdf>, Ways & Means ranking member Richard Neal (D-MA) said the Biden Administration has shown a strong commitment to Taiwan by “prioritizing America’s economic and trade relationship” with the island, “a priority undoubtedly shared by Congress.” The bill, he said, demonstrates Congress’ “strong support for strengthening our bilateral trade relationship with Taiwan and our commitment to ensuring trade agreements are durable.”
 
“The U.S. Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate foreign commerce,” Neal added. “This legislation approves what the Administration has negotiated with Taiwan and sets forth strong consultation and transparency requirements that ensure future trade agreements with Taiwan carry the will of the American people behind them.” -- Dan Dupont (ddupont at iwpnews.com <mailto:ddupont at iwpnews.com>)

Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826




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