,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bjfg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,april #c1 #bjai ,mr4 ,guest introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve the coordination of programs to provide trade capacity building assistance1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,aid for ,trade ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,productive international trading relationships are vital to the economic growth and national security of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,according to the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 #aa of ,america's top #ae trading partners were once recipients of ,united ,states foreign assistance1 and some of the fastest growing markets are former recipients of ,united ,states foreign assistance4 7#c7 ,stable trading relationships promote security and prosperity1 and leadership by the ,united ,states in international trade fosters the expansion of open markets and can help level the playing field for ,united ,states businesses1 workers1 and consumers in the global marketplace4 7#d7 ,programs to provide trade capacity building assistance strengthen good governance1 advance rule of law1 combat corruption1 promote human rights1 reduce poverty1 and spur economic opportunity4 7#e7 ,private-sector-led trade and investment are fundamental components of inclusive growth and development4 ,programs to provide trade capacity building assistance help developing countries to reduce and eliminate nontariff trade barriers that inhibit the ability of such countries to implement trade agreements1 participate in the global economy1 create jobs and economic opportunity1 and reduce poverty4 7#f7 ,reducing trade transaction costs through trade capacity improvements and trade facilitation reforms will assist ,united ,states exporters and small and medium-size enterprises reach new customers in developing countries4 ,reducing these costs through trade facilitation reforms will assist developing country businesses to trade and invest with each other and take advantage of global supply and value chains4 7#g7 ,according to the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative1 the ,united ,states is one of the largest single-country providers of trade-related assistance 7also called trade capacity building assistance or ,aid for ,trade74 7#h7 ,at the #ith ,ministerial of the ,world ,trade ,organization in ,bali1 ,indonesia1 in ,december #bjac1 the #aei members of the ,world ,trade ,organization 7,,wto7 concluded the ,trade ,facilitation ,agreement 7,,tfa71 the first global ,,wto trade agreement in #bj years4 ,,wto members amended the ,,wto agreements to include the ,,tfa on ,november #bg1 #bjad1 and opened it for acceptance by ,,wto members4 ,the ,,tfa entered into force on ,february #bb1 #bjag1 after ratification by two-thirds of the ,,wto membership4 7#i7 ,the ,,tfa includes measures and obligations designed to streamline customs procedures1 increase customs transparency1 and speed the flow of goods across borders4 7#aj7 ,according to the ,organization for ,economic ,cooperation and ,development 7,,oecd71 full implementation of the ,,tfa could reduce trade costs by as much as an estimated #af4e percent of low income countries1 #ag percent for lower-middle income countries1 #ad4f percent for upper-middle income countries1 and #aa4h percent for ,,oecd countries4 7#aa7 ,the ,,oecd has noted that trade barriers created by ineffective policies and burdensome rules and procedures can incentivize corrupt business practices1 and therefore all relevant stakeholders have an interest in supporting efforts to streamline trade regulation and reduce non-tariff barriers4 7#ab7 ,the ,,tfa requires developing countries to identify impediments to trade facilitation and commits developed countries to assist developing countries' efforts to come into compliance with the obligations of the ,,tfa4 7#ac7 ,the ,united ,states is the largest provider of trade capacity building assistance in the world1 according to the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development4 ,in #bjag1 the ,united ,states ,government obligated nearly #a1ajj1jjj1jjj in trade capacity building efforts in over #acj countries1 which were implemented by more than a dozen ,united ,states ,government departments and agencies4 7#ad7 ,there is no single coordinating agency for trade capacity building activities in the ,united ,states ,government4 ,each agency has its own processes for ensuring proper and effective programming of its appropriated funds4 7#ae7 ,a clear1 whole-of-government strategy is needed to leverage and coordinate limited trade capacity funds to implement the ,,tfa1 advance productive international trading relationships for ,united ,states businesses1 workers1 consumers1 foreign trading partners1 and promote inclusive economic growth and opportunity in developing countries4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations1 the ,committee on ,finance1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,private sector ,the term private sector means for-profit ,united ,states businesses and not-for-profit entities4 7#c7 ,trade capacity building assistance ,the term trade capacity building assistance means ,united ,states bilateral1 regional1 or multilateral assistance1 the primary purpose of which is to support the following activities for developing countries3 7,a7 ,technical assistance to assist in acceding1 implementing1 and adhering to international trade agreements1 including trade policy development1 trade negotiations assistance1 administrative management of trade obligations1 regulatory reform related to trade agreements1 and trade-related education4 7,b7 ,technical assistance to improve governance and transparency with respect to imports1 exports1 and international investment1 including improvement of the investment climate and investor protections4 7,c7 ,technical assistance to enable micro-1 small-1 and medium-size enterprises to trade and access markets more efficiently4 7,d7 ,technical assistance to establish and implement internationally recognized standards4 7,e7 ,assistance to reduce nontariff barriers to trade at national borders1 including technical assistance to reform and modernize customs operations and procedures and to expedite the movement1 release1 and clearance of goods1 including goods in transit4 7,f7 ,assistance that will contribute directly and substantially to facilitating trade flows4 7#d7 ,relevant executive branch agencies ,the term relevant executive branch agencies means any ,federal department or agency that the ,president determines to be substantially involved in programs to provide trade capacity building assistance4 #d4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to-- 7#a7 set strategic priorities for the efficient use of programs to provide trade capacity building assistance2 7#b7 build self-sustaining institutional capacity in developing countries for expanding international trade to accelerate inclusive1 broad-based economic growth1 poverty reduction1 and development1 consistent with international obligations and commitments2 and 7#c7 further the national interests of the ,united ,states by-- 7,a7 expanding prosperity through the elimination of barriers to trade and investment in developing countries2 7,b7 assisting developing country trading partners to identify and reduce barriers to the movement of goods in international commerce and to investment2 7,c7 assisting developing country trading partners in undertaking reforms that will encourage economic growth and development2 and 7,d7 supporting businesses in developing countries to engage in reform efforts to increase trade and investment1 and integrate into global supply chains4 #e4 ,coordination and supervision of programs to provide trade capacity building assistance 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development and the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative1 shall-- 7#a7 have primary responsibility for overseeing and carrying out programs to provide trade capacity building assistance2 7#b7 give priority to programs to provide such assistance for any developing country that-- 7,a7 has demonstrated progress in1 and a commitment to1 implementing the commitments under the ,world ,trade ,organization's ,trade ,facilitation ,agreement1 including the establishment and maintenance of a national committee on trade facilitation and other relevant trade obligations and commitments1 taking into accounts the country's capacity building assistance needs2 7,b7 has demonstrated consistent support for economic policies that promote the development of private enterprise2 7,c7 has expressed an interest in entering into a free trade agreement with the ,united ,states2 7,d7 is designated by the ,president-- 7i7 as an eligible sub-,saharan ,african country under the ,african ,growth and ,opportunity ,act 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #cgjc72 or 7ii7 as a beneficiary developing country under section #ejb or #ejf;,a of the ,trade ,act of #aigd 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfb or #bdff;a72 or 7,e7 has the potential to benefit the private sector and ,united ,states economy if such assistance is provided to the developing country2 and 7#c7 ensure that programs to provide trade capacity building assistance by relevant executive branch agencies are coordinate and not duplicated4 7b7 ,interagency task force on trade capacity building 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall establish an interagency task force to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs to provide trade capacity building assistance4 7#b7 ,chairperson2 vice chairperson ,the ,secretary of ,state1 or the ,secretary's designee1 shall serve as chairperson of the interagency task force4 ,the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 or the ,administrator's designee1 and the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative1 or the ,trade ,representative's designee1 and shall serve as vice chairpersons of the interagency task force4 7#c7 ,membership ,the ,president shall appoint to the interagency task force senior officials of-- 7,a7 the ,department of ,commerce2 7,b7 the ,department of ,agriculture2 7,c7 the ,department of the ,treasury2 7,d7 the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 including at least one such senior official of ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection2 7,e7 the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation2 7,f7 the ,united ,states ,trade and ,development ,agency2 and 7,g7 other relevant executive branch agencies4 7#d7 ,budget review and recommendation authority ,the interagency task force1 in coordination with the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget1 shall-- 7,a7 review the expenditures of each of relevant executive branch agency with respect to programs to provide trade capacity building assistance2 and 7,b7 report and make recommendations to the ,president on appropriate budget allocations to each such relevant executive branch agency with respect to programs to provide trade capacity building assistance4 7#e7 ,joint strategic plan ,the interagency task force1 in consultation with relevant chiefs of mission and representatives of the private sector1 shall develop a biennial joint strategic plan for programs to provide trade capacity building assistance that establishes detailed and clear objectives1 common metrics1 and specific goals for the efficient delivery of such assistance1 including-- 7,a7 improving the effectiveness and efficiency of such assistance by improving coordination among-- 7i7 relevant executive branch agencies1 including diplomatic missions of the ,united ,states2 and 7ii7 international trade capacity building and technical assistance donors1 including efforts to promote the best use of resources and avoid duplication1 to share best practices1 and to pursue regional solutions and common approaches1 as appropriate2 7,b7 improving consultation with the private sector to incorporate its operational expertise and experience with respect to the full range of trade barriers in developing countries and setting priorities and target particular barriers for reform2 7,c7 identifying and addressing structural weaknesses1 systemic flaws1 or other impediments to the effectiveness of such assistance across the relevant executive branch agencies with actionable recommendations to address such weaknesses1 flaws1 or other impediments2 7,d7 setting priorities for such assistance to focus resources on developing countries in which such assistance can deliver the best value in identifying and eliminating barriers to trade and investment in such developing countries1 including by fostering adherence to international trade obligations2 7,e7 developing appropriate performance measures and establishing yearly targets to monitor and assess progress toward such targets1 including measures to terminate unsuccessful programs2 and 7,f7 providing estimates of the resources necessary to fulfill the priorities identified by the interagency committee4 7#f7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and biennially thereafter until the termination of the interagency task force under subsection 7d71 the task force shall submit to the ,president and the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains-- 7,a7 the joint strategic plan required under paragraph 7#e72 and 7,b7 as appropriate1 recommendations for changes to programs to provide trade capacity building assistance1 including with respect to priorities for funding of such assistance4 7c7 ,consistency with other trade obligations ,the interagency task force shall ensure that the joint strategic plan required under subsection 7b77#e7 is consistent with the international trade obligations of the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,termination ,the ,president may terminate the interagency task force shall after the submission of the second report required under subsection 7b77#f74 #f4 ,mission responsibilities ,section #bjg of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #cibg7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,trade capacity building assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,each chief of mission to a developing country shall1 working with the private sector and government of such country1 as appropriate-- 7,a7 identify local country barriers to international trade and investment2 7,b7 advise the ,secretary of ,state on the best use of trade capacity building assistance in such country2 and 7,c7 coordinate and supervise programs to provide trade capacity building assistance by relevant executive branch agencies present in such country 7except for assistance under the control of a ,united ,states area military commander74 7#b7 ,definitions ,in this subsection1 the terms trade capacity building assistance and relevant executive branch agencies have the meaning given such terms in section #c of the ,aid for ,trade ,act of #bjai4 4 #g4 ,limitations and conforming measures 7a7 ,rule of construction ,this ,act1 and the amendments made by this ,act1 shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the ,office of the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative as the agency with primary responsibility for developing1 and for coordinating the implementation of1 ,united ,states international trade policy under section #ada of the ,trade ,act of #aigd 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #baga74 7b7 ,exception1 qualification ,section #ffj7;b7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdbj7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking or at the end2 7#b7 by moving the margin of paragraph 7#g7 two ems to the left2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#g71 as so amended1 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#g71 as so amended1 the following new paragraph3 7#h7 with respect to programs to provide trade capacity building assistance 7as such term is defined in section #c of the ,aid for ,trade ,act of #bjai71 including training and technical assistance1 provided to customs and transportation authorities and personnel in developing countries4 4 #h4 ,report by the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years and #d years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate committees a report on programs to provide trade capacity building assistance4 7b7 ,matters ,to be included ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a review of the implementation of the joint strategic plan required under section #e7;b77#e74 7#b7 ,a description of interagency efforts to improve coordination and effectiveness of programs to provide trade capacity building assistance1 including collaboration with the private sector1 sharing of best practices1 the development of common performance metrics1 and efforts to reduce duplication4 7#c7 ,what is known about the impact of trade capacity assistance in supporting developing countries' efforts to implement the ,world ,trade ,organization's ,trade ,facilitation ,agreement and advance the policy described in section #d4 7#d7 ,what is known about progress made in working with donor countries to coordinate trade capacity building donor activities to ensure the effectiveness and reduce duplication of trade capacity building assistance activities4 7#e7 ,recommendations to improve programs to provide trade capacity building assistance4