UNITED Act
Sponsored By: Senator Christopher Coons
Introduced
Summary
Gives the President a time-limited authority to negotiate and enter a comprehensive trade agreement with the United Kingdom. The bill would target tariff and non-tariff barriers across all industries, products, and services and sets a clear timeline and guardrails for any deal.
Show full summary
- President timeline and powers: Would require the President to seek to begin negotiations within 180 days and authorize entering a comprehensive agreement with authority that ends no later than March 1, 2029.
- Negotiation constraints on tariffs and agriculture: Limits how deep duty cuts can go so rates above 5 percent on enactment cannot be reduced below 50 percent of the current rate. It also bars reductions that would place import-sensitive agricultural rates below levels in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act and forbids raising rates above current levels.
- Congressional oversight and implementing bills: Requires consultation and notification to Congress before and during negotiations and before any proclamation. Implementing bills must include only provisions strictly necessary to carry out the agreement, must be submitted by March 1, 2029, and any waiver or termination of the agreement needs explicit congressional approval.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Limits on tariff cuts and increases
If a deal is made, the President could issue proclamations to change duties to carry it out. For rates above 5% on enactment, a cut could not lower the rate to less than half of the enactment rate. Rates that were 5% or below on enactment are not subject to the half-rate rule. Import-sensitive farm products could not be cut below the Uruguay Round rate. No proclamation could raise any rate above the rate that applied on the date of enactment. Major changes after March 1, 2029 would not be covered by this proclamation power.
President can start United Kingdom trade talks
This bill would let the President negotiate a broad trade deal with the United Kingdom. The President would need to try to start talks within 180 days of enactment. Authority to enter an agreement would end on March 1, 2029. The bill would not set new tariffs itself. If a deal is reached later, it could change prices, jobs, or market access.
Strict limits on implementing trade bills
The bill would limit any implementing bill so it may include only provisions strictly necessary to implement the trade agreement. It would apply section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974 and require following several parts of the 2015 trade priorities law. Implementing bills related to agreements under this authority would need to be submitted before March 1, 2029. These rules would restrict how deal terms become U.S. law.
Congress must approve ending a deal
The bill would require the President to consult with Congress before and during any negotiations. The President would have to notify Congress before entering a deal or issuing a proclamation. The bill would also prohibit waiving, suspending, or ending the deal for the United States without express congressional approval. These rules would increase oversight and make commitments more stable for businesses and consumers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Christopher Coons
DE • D
Cosponsors
Jerry Moran
KS • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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