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H. R. 4832 To apply the column 2 duty rate to the products of the People's Republic of China, with certain provisions relating to worker rights and the environment.
Summary
This bill applies higher tariffs (column 2 rates) to products from China to address concerns about labor standards, environmental protection, and democratic governance. The President may reduce these tariffs to the extent China makes progress in adopting environmental protections and adhering to internationally recognized worker rights standards. Additional revenue from the higher tariffs would be used to promote exports of U.S. goods and services to China, particularly environmental products. The President must submit annual reports to Congress on China's progress toward these goals and any resulting tariff reductions.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] (D-OH)
3 cosponsors
Actions (8)
- Aug 8, 1994 Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. · house
- Aug 8, 1994 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade and Environment. · house
- Aug 8, 1994 Referred to the Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and Human Rights. · house
- Aug 1, 1994 Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade. · house
- Jul 26, 1994 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. · house
- Jul 26, 1994 Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. · house
- Jul 26, 1994 Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6208)
- Jul 26, 1994 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 26, 1994
Ms. Kaptur (for herself, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Solomon, and Mrs. Bentley) introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means and Foreign Affairs
A BILL
To apply the column 2 duty rate to the products of the People’s Republic of China, with certain provisions relating to worker rights and the environment.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Fair Standards in Trade Act”.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act of offset inequities affecting United States trade with the People’s Republic of China due to poor labor standards, undemocratic policies, and lack of environmental standards in the People’s Republic of China.
SEC. 3. TARIFF TREATMENT OF GOODS FROM CHINA.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the rate of duty provided for in column 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States shall apply to goods that are the growth, product, or manufacture of the People’s Republic of China.
SEC. 4. REDUCTION OF DUTIES COMMENSURATE WITH PROTECTION OF WORKER RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
(a) In General.—The President may by proclamation reduce the tariffs imposed by section 1 to the extent of, and in proportion to, the progress that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has made towards—
(1) adopting and enforcing laws to provide effective natural resource protection and achieving effective pollution abatement and control standards to protect the air, water, and land, both domestically and internationally; and
(2) adhering to internationally recognized worker rights.
(b) Limitation on Reductions.—No reduction under subsection (a) may result in the imposition of a tariff less than that imposed on products from other countries that receive nondiscriminatory treatment.
SEC. 5. USE OF INCREASED REVENUES.
The revenues derived from tariffs imposed under this Act in excess of the revenues that would be derived from tariffs on goods from the People’s Republic of China but for the enactment of this Act shall be deposited in a separate account in the Treasury. Amounts in such account may be used to promote the export to the People’s Republic of China, under authorities otherwise provided by law of goods and services produced in the United States, particularly goods and services designed to promote protection or conservation of the environment.
SEC. 6. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
The President shall submit reports annually to the Congress on the progress the Government of China has made toward the goals set forth in section 3(a), and any tariff reductions implemented as a result of such progress.
SEC. 7. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this Act, the term “internationally recognized worker rights” includes—
(1) the right of association;
(2) the right to organize and bargain collectively;
(3) a prohibition on the use of any form of forced or compulsory labor;
(4) provision for occupational safety and health for all workers; and
(5) acceptable minimum standards with respect to wages, hours of work, and the age at which children may be employed. <all>
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