98th Congress > House > Vote 883
Description: TO PASS H.R. 5377, A BILL AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO, AND TO PROCLAIM MODIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT, A TRADE AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL PROVIDING FOR DUTY-FREE TREATMENT FOR, AND THE ELIMINATION OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ON, THE PRODUCTS OF ISRAEL. (MOTION PASSED;2/3 REQUIRED)
Bill summary: (Measure passed House, amended, roll call #437 (416-6))
United States-Israel Free Trade Area Act - Authorizes the President to enter into a trade agreement with Israel providing for: (1) the continuance of existing duty free treatment of certain Israeli articles; and (2) the harmonization, reduction, or elimination of nontariff barriers to (and other distortions of) trade between the United States and Israel. Authorizes the President to proclaim such continuances and modifications of tariff
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treatment of and import restrictions on such articles as necessary to carry out the trade agreement.
Sets forth conditions for finding an Israeli article eligible for duty-free treatment under this Act.
Authorizes the President to suspend duty-free treatment for such Israeli articles and to proclaim a duty rate for such articles if such action is proclaimed under the import relief provision of the Trade Act of 1974 or under the national security provision of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Requires the U. S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to state in any report to the President on the need for import relief from a duty-free article under the Trade Act of 1974 whether the report applies to such an article when imported from Israel.
Prohibits making a proclamation which provides solely for a suspension of duty- free treatment unless the ITC, in addition to making an affirmative determination under the Trade Act of 1974, determines that the serious injury or threat of serious injury substantially caused by imports results from the duty-free treatment provided to imports from Israel. Provides that import relief proclamations issued under the Trade Act of 1974 which effect articles covered by this Act shall remain in effect until modified or terminated. Authorizes the President to modify or terminate such import relief provisions.
Authorizes filing a petition for emergency import relief with the Secretary of Agriculture regarding imports of perishable products from Israel which are given duty free treatment under this Act if a petition for import relief affecting such products is filed with the ITC.
Sets forth a procedure for dealing with such emergency import relief petitions.
Prohibits the duty-free treatment granted under this Act to Israeli imports from affecting the application of laws providing relief from injury caused by import competition or by unfair import trade practices. Prohibits extending a trade benefit to any other country by reason of the extension of a trade benefit to Israel under this Act.
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Bill titles: A bill authorizing the President to enter into, and to proclaim modifications necessary to implement, a trade agreement with Israel providing for duty-free treatment for, and the elimination of import restrictions on, the products of Israel.
Original source documents: Digest of the Congressional Record vol. 129, p. 10977;
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
