CBI/NAFTA Parity Proposals: A Comparison (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Nov. 5, 1999 |
| Report Number |
RS20174 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Vladimir N. Pregelj, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The tariff and quota treatment of U.S. imports from Mexico under the North American Free
Trade
Agreement has resulted in a distinct and increasing competitive disadvantage for imports from the
beneficiary countries of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). To eliminate this
disadvantage, proposals have been made to extend to imports from Caribbean Basin countries
preferential treatment equivalent to that accorded imports of identical goods from Mexico. This
report compares the provisions of four such proposals: Title I of H.R. 984 , Title I of
S. 371 , H.R. 1834 , and S. 1389 (including a measure identical
to S. 1389 , included as Title II in a substitute amendment proposed in the
Senate to
H.R. 434 and passed subject to a restrictive amendment). All four would
accord,
during a limited transition period, to imports of certain products (primarily textiles and textile
apparel) from CBERA countries unilateral preferential treatment equivalent to that accorded to
comparable imports from Mexico under the NAFTA. This report will be updated as events warrant.
