§3532 Implementation of Uruguay Round Agreements

Summary

The U.S. Trade Representative must talk with the relevant congressional committees before any Ministerial Conference or General Council vote at the World Trade Organization on major matters: interpreting or changing WTO agreements, granting waivers of obligations, changing the bodies’ rules or procedures, a country joining the WTO, or any other important decision. If, in any year, the Ministerial Conference or the General Council votes on interpretations, amendments, rule changes, or other decisions, the Trade Representative must send a report to those committees within 30 days after the year ends. The report must say what the decision was; what the U.S. did to try to get everyone to agree and the result; which countries voted for and against; what U.S. rights or duties are affected and any federal or state laws that would need change if the President, after consulting Congress, decides to act; and what the President plans to do or why no action is planned. For a waiver vote the report must give the waiver’s terms and the U.S. rights affected. For a country’s accession the report must say whether the U.S. will invoke Article XIII. After sending the report, the Trade Representative must quickly meet with the committees to discuss it.