Trade Issues in the 109th Congress: Policy Challenges and Opportunities (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Feb. 22, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RL32829 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
William H. Cooper, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The second session of the 109th Congress is expected to face an extensive trade agenda
consisting
of a wide range of issues. In some respects these issues are distinct, each with its own policy and
economic implications. In other respects the issues are interrelated. They have emerged from
common sets of domestic political, foreign policy, and economic factors and affect or are affected
by the concerns of Members of Congress, of other policymakers and of many interest groups. These
issues and how policymakers deal with them will define overall U.S. trade policy.
During the first session, the 109th Congress dealt with a number of critical trade issues. The
Bush Administration requested and received a two-year extension of its trade promotion authority.
The Congress also debated U.S. participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO) as it
considered, but did not pass, a congressional resolution to withdraw from the WTO. In addition, the
Administration sent and the Congress passed legislation to implement a free trade agreement with
five Central American countries plus the Dominican Republic, the DR-CAFTA, and passed
implementing legislation for a free trade agreement with Bahrain. Furthermore, the 109th Congress
repealed two trade programs that had been declared illegal by the WTO. During the second session,
the 109th Congress may be called on to debate more free trade agreements, trade relations with
China,
and tariff preferences for developing countries, among other issues. The Congress might also
continue to monitor the Doha Development Agenda negotiations proceeding in the WTO.
Each issue or set of trade issues bears its own implications as Members of Congress weigh the
merits and disadvantages. In most cases, the 109th Congress will be considering and debating each
issue separately. However, the trade issues as a whole have implications for a wider debate on U.S.
trade policy. As the 109th Congress addresses these issues, its decisions will have implications for
key questions that help define U.S. trade policy in the long-term.
This report will generally cover the trade issues as they unfold. However, it will not track
legislation per se. The report will be updated as events warrant.
