Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, told International Trade Today that the fact that the House of Representatives already passed two spending packages complicates his desire to attach trade preferences to a spending bill, but that it is not necessarily an insurmountable hurdle. Both bills, which fund a number of departments through Sept. 30, must pass both chambers before Jan. 30. The Senate voted on the first of the two packages -- which funds Commerce Department, the International Trade Commission, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative -- a few hours after Crapo spoke. That leaves only one funding bill that could serve as a vehicle for the trade bills.
The House of Representatives passed, by large margins, bills that would restore the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Haiti HELP trade preference program, and keep the tariff breaks active through the end of 2028.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act (Haiti HELP) are scheduled to get floor votes next week through the suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. Both trade preferences expired Oct. 1.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, heartily endorsed the House Republicans' approach to renewing Haitian trade preferences and the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., the man in charge of setting the calendar of floor votes, did not directly answer a question on whether the Haiti trade preference bill and the African Growth and Opportunity Act will get a vote in January, but indicated they're on his radar.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he expects the U.S. will announce more trade deals, and release text about previously announced framework deals "in the coming weeks."
The House Ways and Means Committee voted 37-3 to recommend a renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act through the end of 2028, with retroactive benefits since the program expired Sept. 30 (see 2512090051). Requests for liquidation or reliquidation would have to be filed within 180 days of enactment of the law, and CBP would have to pay within 90 days. No interest would be offered on the tariff refunds.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., announced a Dec. 10 meeting to mark up bills extending both the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., in a brief hallway interview at the Capitol, told International Trade Today that he "absolutely" believes that a renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act can get a vote in the House soon.
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., continues to emphasize the importance of a long-term preference program for both sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti, but, in responses to questions for the record, deputy U.S. trade representative nominee Jeffrey Goettman said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative supports a one-year renewal for both.