§3103 Investigation of Foreign Telecommunications Trade Barriers

Summary

The United States Trade Representative must investigate and name priority foreign countries that block U.S. telecommunications products and services. The investigation must be finished by no later than the date that is 5 months after August 23, 1988. When picking countries, the Trade Representative must look at how serious the foreign barriers are, how much foreign firms benefit from access to the U.S. market, how big the foreign market could be for U.S. telecom goods and services, whether naming the country could increase U.S. exports or set a helpful example, and whether the country is making measurable progress to stop the bad practices. The Trade Representative can add or remove countries at any time, but must explain any removal in the required semiannual report to Congress. Within 30 days after the investigation ends, a report must be sent to the President and to the relevant Congressional committees.