Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1510
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits

Department of Commerce

Executive agency funding and structure

Foreign and international corporations

Government studies and investigations

Small business

Tariffs
Latest action: action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-29
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill establishes within the Department of Commerce a task force to identify and recommend actions related to potential countervailable subsidies, dumping, and circumvention.</p> <p>Dumping and countervailable subsidies are unfair trade practices that cause (or threaten to cause) material injury to U.S. industries by importing products (1) that are similar to those sold in the U.S market at less than fair value (dumping), or (2) with the assistance of subsidies from a foreign government or public entity (countervailable duties).</p> <p>Specifically, the task force shall identify (1) potential countervailable subsidies and dumping that may be causing (or threatening to cause) material injury to an industry in the United States, and (2) potential circumvention of existing antidumping or countervailing duty orders. The task force must make recommendations with respect to initiating antidumping or countervailing duty investigations and circumvention inquiries.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1510 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 29, 2021 Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Burr ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To establish a task force to identify potential countervailable subsidies, dumping, and circumvention with respect to trade.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2021 . 2. Task force to identify potential countervailable subsidies, dumping, and circumvention (a) In general There is established, in the administering authority, a task force to be responsible for— (1) conducting research to— (A) identify potential countervailable subsidies and dumping that may be causing material injury or threatening to cause material injury to an industry in the United States; and (B) identify potential circumvention of existing antidumping or countervailing duty orders; and (2) making recommendations, where appropriate, to the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade with respect to initiating investigations under sections 702(a) and 732(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671a(a) and 1673a(a)) and circumvention inquires under section 781 of that Act ( 19 U.S.C. 1677j ). (b) Duties In carrying out the responsibilities of the task force under subsection (a), the task force shall— (1) monitor trade flows, government and industry data, price fluctuations, domestic industry and market conditions, and other relevant available information to identify potential countervailable subsidies, dumping, or circumvention of existing antidumping or countervailing duty orders; (2) conduct background research on— (A) production capabilities and pricing practices of foreign companies; (B) foreign government subsidies; and (C) other relevant information available to the task force; (3) consult with, or solicit information from, the United States International Trade Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and such other Federal agencies as the task force considers appropriate; and (4) prioritize cases that affect small and medium-sized businesses in the United States. (c) Consultations In carrying out the responsibilities of the task force under subsection (a), the task force shall consult with industries in the United States with respect to potential countervailable subsidies, dumping, and circumvention. (d) Nondisclosure of certain information The administering authority shall not disclose information with regard to the activities of the task force under this section unless and until a determination is made to initiate an investigation under section 702(a) or 732(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671a(a) and 1673a(a)) or a circumvention inquiry under section 781 of that Act ( 19 U.S.C. 1677j ), as the case may be. (e) Definitions In this section, the terms administering authority , countervailable subsidy , dumping , industry , and material injury have the meanings given those terms in section 771 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677 ).