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1 1 (November 7, 2002)

handle is hein.crs/crsaamr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code 97-817 ENR Updated November 7, 2002 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority Geoffrey S. Becker and Charles E. Hanrahan Specialist and Senior Specialist in Agricultural Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary New fast track, or trade promotion, authority (TPA) cleared the 107'h Congress, and was signed into law (P.L. 107-210) on August 6, 2002. Such authority enables the Administration to submit negotiated foreign trade agreements to Congress for consideration under expedited procedures. Many agricultural and food industry interests were among the export-oriented enterprises that supported TPA, arguing that foreign trading partners would not seriously negotiate with an Administration that lacked it. However, some farm groups argued that fast track ultimately will lead to new agreements that have adverse effects on U.S. producers, at least of some commodities. This report will be updated if events warrant. What Is Fast Track (Trade Promotion) Authority? Fast track, or trade promotion, authority (TPA), refers to legislation explicitly enabling the President to negotiate trade agreements with foreign countries and then to submit implementing legislation to Congress for approval under special, expedited procedures. First adopted in the Trade Act of 1974, this authority was used to negotiate and implement several bilateral and multilateral agreements, including agreements in the Tokyo Round of multilateral trade negotiations, the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Uruguay Round (UR) accords, which included establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Fast track authority, which expired in 1994, is intended to strengthen the President's negotiating authority and credibility by reassuring foreign trading partners that agreements will be considered promptly by Congress and not subjected to changes that would force a return to the bargaining table. Past fast track procedures have included requirements for advance notification of Congress and consultations with relevant committees, before an agreement could be concluded. Lawmakers, in effect, have used these consultative requirements as informal mark-ups to address, in advance, the various policy issues that otherwise might be debated during the votes on the implementing legislation. (For more information, see CRS Issue Brief 11 10084, Fast-TrackA uthority for Trade Agreements (Trade Promotion Authority): Congressional Research Service **o The Library of Congress

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