An amendment to require the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into negotiations with countries running excessive unwarranted trade surpluses with the United States and mandate retaliatory action against such countries if negotiations fail. In addition, if negotiations do not achieve an agreement eliminating the barriers within 6 months, the amendment requires dollar-for-dollar retaliation against the unfair trade practices. After one year, if the surplus nation still has not dismantled its unfair barriers, the amendment requires the U.S. Trade Representative to take action to reduce the targeted country's surplus by 10% for each of the next 4 years. The President may waive retaliation if he determines it would cause substantial harm to the U.S. economy, or if a surplus nation is encountering substantial balance-of-payments problems, including problems making debt repayments.

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Amendment Number
56
Description
An amendment to require the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into negotiations with countries running excessive unwarranted trade surpluses with the United States and mandate retaliatory action against such countries if negotiations fail. In addition, if negotiations do not achieve an agreement eliminating the barriers within 6 months, the amendment requires dollar-for-dollar retaliation against the unfair trade practices. After one year, if the surplus nation still has not dismantled its unfair barriers, the amendment requires the U.S. Trade Representative to take action to reduce the targeted country's surplus by 10% for each of the next 4 years. The President may waive retaliation if he determines it would cause substantial harm to the U.S. economy, or if a surplus nation is encountering substantial balance-of-payments problems, including problems making debt repayments.
Congress
100
Type
HAMDT
Latest Action Date
Apr 29, 1987
Latest Action Text
Amendment Passed in Committee of the Whole by Recorded Vote: 218 - 214 (Record Vote No: 72).
Submitted Date
Apr 29, 1987
Chamber
House of Representatives
Update Date
Aug 14, 2021
Amendment 56 — Informed