The House of Representatives was scheduled to consider the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2012 (HR-5865) Sept. 11 under suspension of the rules, which allows for fast-tracked approval of the legislation. The bill would require the president to establish a American Manufacturing Competitiveness Board, which would conduct a review of manufacturing policies, including "customs enforcement and counterfeiting" and "trade policy and balance." The board must then develop a "competitiveness strategy" and provide information on how to implement the strategy. If approved, the bill would still need approval from the Senate.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) introduced a Continuing Resolution, a temporary funding measure, to prevent a government shutdown and fund federal programs until March 27, 2013 (H.J.Res 117). Among other things, the bill would pay for "operations necessary to maintain the staffing levels (including by backfilling vacant positions) of Border Patrol agents, Customs and Border Protection officers, and Air and Marine interdiction agents in effect at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012."
A group of 28 trade associations led by the Express Association of America (EAA) pushed the Senate Finance Committee to take up legislation to raise the de minimis level for low value shipments. The signatories said in the letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mt.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that they should support a Senate companion bill to HR-1653, which would raise the minimum import value for goods requiring customs documents or duties. Email documents@brokerpower.com for a copy of the letter.
New lobbyist registrations on trade issues include:
Eight Democrats in the House of Representatives wrote U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Aug. 28 to allow them to observe negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, set to happen in Leesburg, Va., Sept. 6-15. “Last month, we were among the 134 House members that wrote to urge you and your staff to engage in broader and deeper consultations with members of the full range of congressional committees whose jurisdiction is implicated by the TPP’s expansive scope,” the members wrote. “We also requested that you continue past U.S. practice and release the draft TPP text, as a past administration did with respect to Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) draft text in 2001. We have had neither a response to that letter nor offers of enhanced consultations and access to draft text. Thus, so as to ensure that there is ample opportunity for Congress to have a clear understanding of and input on critical policies that will have broad ramifications for years to come, we are requesting that you facilitate our ability to observe the TPP negotiations directly.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), continuing his trade mission in Japan, inspected the Tesla Motors facility in Tokyo on Thursday “to see firsthand the success story of a U.S. exporter to Asia,” according to a press release from Sen. Baucus’ office. Tesla Motors, founded in 2003 and based in Palo Alto, Calif., manufactures electric automobiles and powertrains in their Fremont, Calif. factory and sells automobiles in 37 countries worldwide. Senator Baucus talked with Tesla representatives about their experience in Japan and the importance of expanding U.S. trade ties overseas to replicate their success elsewhere, the press release said.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met Aug. 23 with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba to break down trade barriers and seek new market access for U.S. exporters that would help create American jobs, Baucus' office said in a press release. Sen. Baucus also discussed the possibility of Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations at some point in the future.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key to pursue export opportunities for American businesses and discuss negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement, said Baucus' office in a press release. “Our economy will grow, and American businesses will create jobs as we strengthen our trade ties with countries like New Zealand," he said. "The Asia Pacific region is a hotbed of economic growth, and we need to ensure the United States benefits from that growth and remains a key player in the arena. New Zealand is a key partner in the Trans-Pacific Partnership -- one we need to help break down barriers to trade and support a strong agreement.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) will depart for New Zealand and Japan Aug. 17 to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with senior economic and trade leaders. “The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a window of opportunity for our exports to reach new consumers in markets across the Pacific,” Baucus said. “Through the TPP, we can help ensure our trading partners play by the rules and open their markets to American exports.”
New lobbyist registrations on trade issues include: