International Trade-Related Federal Legislation
International Trade-Related Federal Legislation
State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program
The California State Trade and Export Promotion (California STEP) project combines a network of state, federal, private and non-profit trade promotion organizations in California to facilitate export promotion activities, serving targeted industries, to drive exports for small businesses.
State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program Fact Sheet 2015-2016
Pre-register to access STEP Funds
In 2010, Congress established the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program which has been used to help businesses promote their products overseas.
In two years, 1,500 California Small businesses turned $4 million in federal funding into over $50 million in exports for the California economy.
From 2011 to 2013 California STEP supported 50 export promotion events (inbound, outbound and training), which included supporting 310 California companies to participate in overseas trade events on 5 continents (Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe).
Here is a link to the fact sheet. The funding for the program is set to expire, and Governor Brown has requested from Congress that the program be reauthorized.
Congresswoman Bass has introduced legislation to reauthorize the program.
Letter of support from Governor Brown for the STEP program re-authorization
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Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) currently allows business and leisure travelers from 36 partnering countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a non-immigrant visitor visa. An enhanced Visa Waiver Program would provide necessary updates to the VWP while also allowing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to designate additional program countries.
Expand the Visa Waiver Program
U.S. Travel Association
Visa Waiver Program Myths and Realities
U.S. Travel Association
Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel Act (JOLT Act) Summary
U.S. Chamber, March 2012
U.S. Chamber Testifies on Job Creating Potential of Travel and Tourism
U.S. Chamber, Mar 27, 2012
On May 29, 2012, the U.S. Chamber sent a letter to the Senate in support of S. 3199, the “Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2012.”
On May 29, 2012, the U.S. Chamber sent a letter to the House in support of H.R. 5741, the “Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2012.”
Additional Information:
US Chamber Letter supporting the “Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act”
January 31, 2012
H.R.3855 — Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act
Representative Quigley’s Press Release on the Introduction of HR 3855
January 31, 2012
S. 2046 Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act
Senator Mikulski’s Press Release on the Introduction of S 2046
January 31, 2012
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Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2012
On May 24,2012 the US Chamber sent a letter in support H.R. 4221 and S. 2215, the “Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2012.” It read in part: “This legislation would help U.S. companies doing business in sub-Saharan Africa compete for market share in some of the world’s fastest growing economies. Gaining better access to these markets is of increasing strategic importance to the United States, both in terms of rates of return and sheer commercial potential. Over the past decade, six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world have been in sub-Saharan Africa. Demographic trends suggest that by 2050 one in four workers in the world will be African, and the continent’s population will top one billion.”
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Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
On November 12, 2011, the Leaders of the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States – announced the achievement of the broad outlines of an ambitious, 21st-century Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that will enhance trade and investment among the TPP partner countries, promote innovation, economic growth and development, and support the creation and retention of jobs. President Obama along with the other eight TPP leaders agreed to seek to finalize an agreement in 2012.
CalChamber’s Comments in Support of Canada
CalChamber’s Comments in Support of Japan
CalChamber’s Comments in Support of Mexico
CalChamber’s Information page on the TPP
USTR’s Information page on the TPP
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S. 1039 (Cardin)
To impose sanctions on persons responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky, for the conspiracy to defraud the Russian Federation of taxes on corporate profits through fraudulent transactions
and lawsuits against Hermitage, and for other gross violations of human rights in the Russian Federation, and for other purposes.
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APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARDS UPDATE
President Obama Signs into Law the APEC Business Travel Cards Act of 2011
FACT SHEET: APEC on Travel Facilitation
On Saturday, November 12, President Obama signed into law the APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC) Act of 2011, which was passed by Congress on November 4, bringing American business travelers one step closer to seamless travel in the region.
The ABTC Act will help American business travelers gain streamlined entry to the economies of the Asia-Pacific region. This legislation will authorize the United States Government to issue APEC Travel Cards to its citizens, allowing them to access expedited customs and immigration when they travel throughout Asia-Pacific.
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APEC Business Travel Legislation
Per the US Chamber
In November 2011, the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Business Travel Card Act (S. 1487) bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent and the House and will become law with the President’s signature. S. 1487 supports expanded business travel and trade with the Asia-Pacific region and would allow business leaders from the United States and senior government officials who are actively engaged in APEC business to receive APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTCs) that would expedite their international travel within the 21 APEC member countries.
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October 12, 2011 – All four measures passed by both Houses of Congress.
Senate Amendment to H.R. 2832 – To extend the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other purposes As amended by the Senate, the bill would provide additional Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits to workers displaced by foreign trade in addition to extending the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). H.R. 3078 – United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act H.R. 3078: Implements the U. S.–Colombia Free Trade Agreement.H.R. 3079 – United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act H.R. 3079: Implements the U. S.–Panama Free Trade Agreement.H.R. 3080 – United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act H.R. 3080: Implements the U. S.–South Korea Free Trade Agreement. |
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| Previous Information:
Joint Letter to Congress Opposing Buy American Proposals 10.6.11 Buy American Provisions in the American Jobs Act
CalChamber Letter Opposed to Sen. Feinstein’s Amendment 4.27.10 |
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