§2707 Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade

Summary

The Commissioner of Customs must give grants to a Texas college or group of colleges to plan, start, and run a Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. The first grant must be made by December 1, 1994, the Center must be set up by February 1, 1995, and grants are to be provided for fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. The Commissioner must talk with Texas officials and private groups when choosing the Center and should pick an institution that can run the programs and add resources beyond the federal money. The Center must operate year-round in Texas to study and promote trade among Western Hemisphere countries. It will study the effects of NAFTA, future free-trade talks and possible new members, and issues like tariffs, non-tariff barriers, customs relations, and other economic ties. The Center will hold international forums, do research across many fields (economics, business, agriculture, science, border and social issues, etc.), publish materials, run seminars, give grants and fellowships to scholars and graduate students, and work with the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center at the University of Miami at Coral Gables. The Center may charge reasonable fees for events and publications but can waive fees for hardship. The Commissioner must send a written report by July 1, 1994, and then yearly while grants continue, naming the chosen institution(s), explaining the choice and plans, and later reporting on operations, outreach, and plans to continue after federal funding ends. Definitions: NAFTA = the North American Free Trade Agreement. Western Hemisphere countries = Canada, the United States, Mexico, countries in South America, beneficiary countries (as defined by section 2702), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.