H.R. 953 — United States Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act

This section states congressional findings on the United States as an Indo-Pacific power; the region's economic centrality (60% of global GDP and two-thirds of 2022 global economic growth), population (over half the world's people, including nearly 60% of youth), and strategic importance (including 5 U.S. treaty allies and rivals such as China); China's use of trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP, covering 15 countries and 30% of the global economy) and pursuit of others (e.g., CPTPP, DEPA) to expand influence; the existence of over 200 regional preferential trade agreements; and the need for a U.S. economic strategy to advance competitiveness, labor rights, supply chain resilience, and national security goals.

This section directs the United States International Trade Commission to conduct and complete an investigation not later than 180 days after enactment into the impact of Indo-Pacific regional trade agreements on U.S. competitiveness, specifically examining (1) how preferential market access provisions—including tariffs, quotas, and services commitments—in agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) affect U.S. exports and growth opportunities; (2) how non-tariff barriers—including regulatory practices, lower labor and environmental standards, sector-specific rules for agriculture and the digital economy, and standard-setting—impact the competitiveness of U.S. workers and businesses; (3) effects on U.S. supply chain resiliency and connectivity, including China's role in key global supply chains; and (4) differences between the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and CPTPP, RCEP, or other Indo-Pacific agreements that would substantially affect U.S. businesses and workers.

This section establishes an independent Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission, effective 30 days after enactment, to develop findings and recommendations for a comprehensive U.S. trade strategy in the Indo-Pacific region for purposes including ensuring U.S. economic and geopolitical leadership, promoting U.S. innovation and exports, countering China's trade agenda, and strengthening supply chain resilience. The commission comprises 12 members appointed by mutual agreement of the chairs and ranking members of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees, with expertise in the Indo-Pacific region and international trade, economic or supply chain issues, labor matters, or environmental policy; no appointed members may be Members of Congress. The commission must hold public and classified hearings as needed, solicit public comments for at least 45 days, consult quarterly with the specified congressional committees, and submit a final report to those committees not later than 18 months after enactment.