PUBLIC LAW 104–171—AUG. 3, 1996 110 STAT. 1539

Public Law 104–171

104th Congress

An Act

To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation

treatment) to the products of Romania.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that—

(1) Romania emerged from years of brutal Communist

dictatorship in 1989 and approved a new Constitution and

elected a Parliament by 1991, laying the foundation for a modern parliamentary democracy charged with guaranteeing fundamental human rights, freedom of expression, and respect

for private property;

(2) local elections, parliamentary elections, and presidential

elections have been held in Romania, and 1996 will mark

the second nationwide presidential elections under the new

Constitution;

(3) Romania has undertaken significant economic reforms,

including the establishment of a two-tier banking system, the

introduction of a modern tax system, the freeing of most prices

and elimination of most subsidies, the adoption of a tariffbased trade regime, and the rapid privatization of industry

and nearly all agriculture;

(4) Romania concluded a bilateral investment treaty with

the United States in 1993, and both United States investment

in Romania and bilateral trade are increasing rapidly;

(5) Romania has received most-favored-nation treatment

since 1993, and has been found by the President to be in

full compliance with the freedom of emigration requirements

under title IV of the Trade Act of 1974;

(6) Romania is a member of the World Trade Organization

and extension of unconditional most-favored-nation treatment

to the products of Romania would enable the United States

to avail itself of all rights under the World Trade Organization

with respect to Romania; and

(7) Romania has demonstrated a strong desire to build

friendly relationships and to cooperate fully with the United

States on trade matters.

SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF THE TRADE

ACT OF 1974 TO ROMANIA.

(a) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATIONS AND EXTENSION OF NONDISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.—Notwithstanding any provision of

19 USC 2434

note.

19 USC 2434

note.

Exports and

imports.

Aug. 3, 1996

[H.R. 3161]
110 STAT. 1540 PUBLIC LAW 104–171—AUG. 3, 1996

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3161:

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 104–629 (Comm. on Ways and Means).

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 142 (1996):

July 16, 17, considered and passed House.

July 18, considered and passed Senate.

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 32 (1996):

Aug. 3, Presidential statement.

Æ

title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.), the

President may—

(1) determine that such title should no longer apply to

Romania; and

(2) after making a determination under paragraph (1),

proclaim the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (mostfavored-nation treatment) to the products of that country.

(b) TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV.—On and after

the effective date of the extension under subsection (a)(2) of nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Romania, title IV of

the Trade Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to that country.

Approved August 3, 1996.