19 U.S.C. § 4421 (CUSTOMS DUTIES)
§ 4421. Enhancement of engagement on currency exchange rate and economic policies with certain major trading partners of the United States
(a) Major trading partner report
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after February 24, 2016, and not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the macroeconomic and currency exchange rate policies of each country that is a major trading partner of the United States.
(2) Elements
(A) In general
Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain—
(i) for each country that is a major trading partner of the United States—
(I) that country’s bilateral trade balance with the United States;
(II) that country’s current account balance as a percentage of its gross domestic product;
(III) the change in that country’s current account balance as a percentage of its gross domestic product during the 3-year period preceding the submission of the report;
(IV) that country’s foreign exchange reserves as a percentage of its short-term debt; and
(V) that country’s foreign exchange reserves as a percentage of its gross domestic product; and
(ii) an enhanced analysis of macroeconomic and exchange rate policies for each country that is a major trading partner of the United States that has—
(I) a significant bilateral trade surplus with the United States;
(II) a material current account surplus; and
(III) engaged in persistent one-sided intervention in the foreign exchange market.
(B) Enhanced analysis
Each enhanced analysis under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall include, for each country with respect to which an analysis is made under that subparagraph—
(i) a description of developments in the currency markets of that country, including, to the greatest extent feasible, developments with respect to currency interventions;
(ii) a description of trends in the real effective exchange rate of the currency of that country and in the degree of undervaluation of that currency;
(iii) an analysis of changes in the capital controls and trade restrictions of that country; and
(iv) patterns in the reserve accumulation of that country.
(3) Assessment factors
Not later than 90 days after February 24, 2016, the Secretary shall publicly describe the factors used to assess under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) whether a country has a significant bilateral trade surplus with the United States, has a material current account surplus, and has engaged in persistent one-sided intervention in the foreign exchange market.
(b) Engagement on exchange rate and economic policies
(1) In general
The President, through the Secretary, shall commence enhanced bilateral engagement with each country for which an enhanced analysis of macroeconomic and currency exchange rate policies is included in the report submitted under subsection (a), in order to, as appropriate—
(A) urge implementation of policies to address the causes of the undervaluation of its currency, its significant bilateral trade surplus with the United States, and its material current account surplus, including undervaluation and surpluses relating to exchange rate management;
(B) express the concern of the United States with respect to the adverse trade and economic effects of that undervaluation and those surpluses;
(C) advise that country of the ability of the President to take action under subsection (c); and/or
(D) develop a plan with specific actions to address that undervaluation and those surpluses.
(2) Waiver
(A) In general
The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) to commence enhanced bilateral engagement with a country if the Secretary determines that commencing enhanced bilateral engagement with the country—
(i) would have an adverse impact on the United States economy greater than the benefits of such action; or
(ii) would cause serious harm to the national security of the United States.
(B) Certification and report
The Secretary shall promptly certify to Congress a determination under subparagraph (A) and promptly submit to Congress a report that describes in detail the reasons for the Secretary’s determination under subparagraph (A).
(c) Remedial action
(1) In general
If, on or after the date that is one year after the commencement of enhanced bilateral engagement by the President, through the Secretary, with respect to a country under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary determines that the country has failed to adopt appropriate policies to correct the undervaluation and surpluses described in subsection (b)(1)(A) with respect to that country, the President shall take one or more of the following actions:
(A) Prohibit the Overseas Private Investment Corporation from approving any new financing (including any insurance, reinsurance, or guarantee) with respect to a project located in that country on and after such date.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (3), and pursuant to paragraph (4), prohibit the Federal Government from procuring, or entering into any contract for the procurement of, goods or services from that country on and after such date.
(C) Instruct the United States Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund to call for additional rigorous surveillance of the macroeconomic and exchange rate policies of that country and, as appropriate, formal consultations on findings of currency manipulation.
(D) Instruct the United States Trade Representative to take into account, in consultation with the Secretary, in assessing whether to enter into a bilateral or regional trade agreement with that country or to initiate or participate in negotiations with respect to a bilateral or regional trade agreement with that country, the extent to which that country has failed to adopt appropriate policies to correct the undervaluation and surpluses described in subsection (b)(1)(A).
(2) Waiver
(A) In general
The President may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) to take remedial action if the President determines that taking remedial action under paragraph (1) would—
(i) have an adverse impact on the United States economy greater than the benefits of taking remedial action; or
(ii) would cause serious harm to the national security of the United States.
(B) Certification and report
The President shall promptly certify to Congress a determination under subparagraph (A) and promptly submit to Congress a report that describes in detail the reasons for the President’s determination under subparagraph (A).
(3) Exception
The President may not apply a prohibition under paragraph (1)(B) in a manner that is inconsistent with United States obligations under international agreements.
(4) Consultations
(A) Office of Management and Budget
Before applying a prohibition under paragraph (1)(B), the President shall consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine whether such prohibition would subject the taxpayers of the United States to unreasonable cost.
(B) Congress
The President shall consult with the appropriate committees of Congress with respect to any action the President takes under paragraph (1)(B), including whether the President has consulted as required under subparagraph (A).
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of Congress
The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(2) Country
The term “country” means a foreign country, dependent territory, or possession of a foreign country, and may include an association of 2 or more foreign countries, dependent territories, or possessions of countries into a customs union outside the United States.
(3) Real effective exchange rate
The term “real effective exchange rate” means a weighted average of bilateral exchange rates, expressed in price-adjusted terms.
(4) Secretary
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(Pub. L. 114–125, title VII, § 701, Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 195.)