19 U.S.C. § 4552: Presidential action…

Summary

The law tells the President how to treat goods from USMCA countries when using the Trade Act to protect U.S. industries. The President must check if imports from each USMCA country are a large share of total imports or if they importantly cause the serious harm the International Trade Commission found. If the President finds that a country’s imports do not meet either test, those imports must be left out of any Trade Act action. If excluded imports later surge and that surge makes the Trade Act action less effective, the President can add those imports back in. An industry group can ask the International Trade Commission to investigate the surge. The Commission must report its findings to the President within 30 days of the request. “Surge” means a big increase in imports above the recent trend. Any limits on quantities must allow at least the recent representative import level, with room for reasonable growth.

Title 19, §4552

Customs Duties, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

In determining whether to take action under chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 [19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.] with respect to imports from a USMCA country, the President shall determine whether—

(1)imports from such country, considered individually, account for a substantial share of total imports; or

(2)imports from a USMCA country, considered individually, or in exceptional circumstances imports from USMCA countries considered collectively, contribute importantly to the serious injury, or threat thereof, found by the International Trade Commission.

(b)Exclusion of USMCA imports

In determining the nature and extent of action to be taken under chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 [19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.], the President shall exclude from such action imports from a USMCA country if the President makes a negative determination under subsection (a)(1) or (2) with respect to imports from such country.

(c)Action after exclusion of USMCA country imports

(1)In general

If the President, under subsection (b), excludes imports from a USMCA country or countries from action under chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 [19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.] but thereafter determines that a surge in imports from that country or countries is undermining the effectiveness of the action—

(A)the President may take appropriate action under such chapter 1 to include those imports in the action; and

(B)any entity that is representative of an industry for which such action is being taken may request the International Trade Commission to conduct an investigation of the surge in such imports.

(2)Investigation

Upon receiving a request under paragraph (1)(B), the International Trade Commission shall conduct an investigation to determine whether a surge in such imports undermines the effectiveness of the action. The International Trade Commission shall submit the findings of its investigation to the President no later than 30 days after the request is received by the International Trade Commission.

(3)“Surge” defined

For purposes of this subsection, the term “surge” means a significant increase in imports over the trend for a recent representative base period.

(d)Condition applicable to quantitative restrictions

Any action taken under this section proclaiming a quantitative restriction shall permit the importation of a quantity or value of the article which is not less than the quantity or value of such article imported into the United States during the most recent period that is representative of imports of such article, with allowance for reasonable growth.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Trade Act of 1974, referred to in subsecs. (a) to (c), is Pub. L. 93–618, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 1978. Chapter 1 of title II of the Act is classified generally to part 1 (§ 2251 et seq.) of subchapter II of chapter 12 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 2101 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 3372 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 116–113.

Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–113, § 502(c)(4), substituted “USMCA” for “NAFTA” in section catchline, subsec. (b) and (c) headings, and wherever appearing in text.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2020 AmendmentTransfer to and amendment of this section by Pub. L. 116–113 effective on the date on which the USMCA enters into force (July 1, 2020) and applicable with respect to an investigation under chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.) initiated on or after that date, see section 502(e) of Pub. L. 116–113, set out as a note under section 4551 of this title.

§4552 Presidential Action Regarding Usmca Imports