“To authorize preferential treatment for certain imports from the Pacific Islands.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states the sense of Congress regarding U.S. connections with the Pacific Islands and the benefits of a preferential trade program, including (1) longstanding cultural, historic, economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties; (2) economic challenges facing Pacific Islands countries such as geographic isolation, limited diversification, natural disaster vulnerability, and underdeveloped infrastructure and trade capacity; (3) promotion of inclusive economic development, jobs, and living standards through strengthened economic ties; and (4) advancement of a free and open Indo-Pacific emphasizing sovereignty, economic independence, and rule of law.
This section establishes eligibility criteria for preferential tariff treatment on articles imported directly from a Pacific Islands country, requiring the President to authorize such treatment if the country (1) satisfies specified requirements under section 104 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (i.e., enacting customs laws, enforcing those laws, and pursuing market-based reforms); (2) is not ineligible under section 502(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (i.e., bases such as being a Communist country without specified qualifications, participating in commodity cartels, or providing preferential treatment to other developed countries) or under new additional bases relating to failures to protect worker rights, gross human rights violations, or enforce environmental laws (including obligations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing); and (3) meets overall eligibility standards under section 502 of the Trade Act of 1974, considering specified factors (e.g., development progress, trade benefits) and new additional factors on worker rights, environmental enforcement (including illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing), rule of law, poverty-reduction policies, and anti-corruption measures. The section waives per capita income thresholds applicable under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.) and applies GSP procedures for withdrawal, suspension, or mandatory graduation of benefits.
This section authorizes the President to designate articles as eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) from a Pacific Islands country listed as eligible under section 3(a) to the same extent and in the same manner as for least-developed beneficiary developing countries under 19 U.S.C. 2463, including the 35% rule of origin requirement and exclusions for import-sensitive articles such as certain textiles, apparel, watches, and import-sensitive agricultural products. (Thus, such Pacific Islands countries receive GSP-eligible article designations equivalent to those for least-developed beneficiary developing countries, which face fewer restrictions than other beneficiary developing countries.)
This section declares it U.S. policy to negotiate free trade agreements, where feasible, with interested Pacific Islands countries to increase U.S. trade and private sector investment there. It directs the President to develop a plan for negotiating and entering into one or more such agreements—taking into account the willingness of Pacific Islands governments and including U.S. objectives and timetable, mutual benefits and negotiation timetable, implications for regional organizations, anticipated subject matter and affected laws or programs, and procedures for congressional and private sector consultations and congressional approval—and to submit the plan to Congress within 12 months of enactment.
This section directs the President, not later than 180 days after enactment and in consultation with governments of eligible Pacific Islands countries, to establish a trade facilitation and capacity building program for the Pacific Islands to (1) enhance those governments' support for successful exporters and build awareness among potential exporters of foreign trade opportunities and documentation requirements, including through outreach to civil society organizations, indigenous groups, and trade associations; (2) provide export finance training to financial institutions and governments in eligible Pacific Islands countries; (3) assist those governments in publishing trade regulations, exporter and importer forms, tax and tariff rates, and related documentation online and in developing public-private dialogues to implement reforms under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation; and (4) increase online access to guides for importers and exporters, including on U.S. tariff preference programs.
This section requires the President to submit to Congress, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2036, a comprehensive report on U.S. trade and investment policy for the Pacific Islands and on implementation of this Act.
This section establishes definitions for this Act, including an expanded definition of internationally recognized worker rights that adds, to the five rights specified in 19 U.S.C. 2467(4) (i.e., right of association; right to organize and bargain collectively; prohibition on forced or compulsory labor; minimum age for child employment and prohibition on worst forms of child labor; and acceptable conditions of work as to minimum wages, hours, and occupational safety and health), two additional rights: (1) elimination of discrimination with respect to employment and occupation; and (2) elimination of violence or threats of violence against workers, including gender-based violence or harassment in the workplace and violence related to exercising such rights. The section further defines the terms "Pacific Islands," "Pacific Islands country," "country in the Pacific Islands," and "countries in the Pacific Islands" to mean the Cook Islands, Republic of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Niue, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Republic of Vanuatu.