Committee on Ways and Means

ENHANCED AGRICULTURE PROVISIONS IN
TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE

• Directs U.S. negotiators to target tariff and subsidy reductions for those products subject to high foreign tariffs or subsidies, with an emphasis on those products where U.S. tariffs are lower than those throughout the world.

• Directs U.S. negotiators to provide reasonable adjustment periods for import-sensitive products.

• Directs U.S. negotiators to improve import relief mechanisms that recognize the unique characteristics of import-sensitive perishable or cyclical products, while eliminating foreign practices that adversely affect trade in these products.

• Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to preserve the ability of the U.S. to enforce rigorously its trade laws and to avoid agreements that would lessen that ability.

• Supports reducing or eliminating subsidies that decrease market opportunities for U.S. agriculture or unfairly distort markets to the detriment of the United States.

• Seeks increased and more timely public access to information regarding trade issues and the activities of international trade institutions, including access to WTO meetings, notifications, and related documentation.

• Preserves non-trade distorting programs that support American family farms and rural communities, including food assistance, market development, and export credit programs.

• Seeks the elimination of government policies that create price-depressing surpluses.

• Seeks the elimination of state-trading enterprises (STEs), and, if STEs are not eliminated, that they be subject to price transparency and do not engage in cross subsidization, price discrimination, or price undercutting.

• Seeks an end to unjustified restrictions, such as labeling, on products derived from new technology, including biotechnology, as well as ending unjustified sanitary/phytosanitary requirements - including those based upon unsound science.

• Seeks an end to unnecessarily restrictive rules for administering tariff rate quotas.

• Greatly improves consultations with Congress by requiring the U.S. Trade Representative to consult with the House and Senate Agriculture Committees during the negotiations, and prior to initialing any agreement involving agriculture.