§3532 Implementation of Uruguay Round Agreements

Summary

The United States must try to keep WTO decisions made by consensus, as was done under GATT 1947. The Trade Representative must talk with the appropriate congressional committees before any WTO Ministerial Conference or General Council vote on major items—like new interpretations, treaty changes, waivers, rule or procedure changes, a new member joining, or other decisions—when the vote would greatly affect U.S. rights or duties under WTO or other trade treaties or could require changing federal or state law. Within 30 days after the end of any year in which such covered votes were taken, the Trade Representative must send a report to those committees saying what the decision was; how the U.S. tried to get consensus and what happened; which countries voted for and against; what U.S. rights or laws are affected and what laws might be changed if the President and Congress decide to respond; and what the President plans to do or why no action will be taken. If a waiver was granted, the report must give the waiver’s terms and the U.S. rights affected. If a country joined, the report must say whether the United States plans to invoke Article XIII of the WTO Agreement. After sending the report, the Trade Representative must promptly consult with the committees about it.