To withdraw normal trade relations treatment from, and apply certain provisions of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to, products of the People’s Republic of China, and to expand the eligibility requirements for products of the People’s Republic of China to receive normal trade relations treatment in the future, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Tiffany, and …
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill would revoke China's "normal trade relations" status with the United States, effectively raising tariffs on Chinese goods to levels similar to those imposed on countries like North Korea and Cuba. The bill ties China's trade status to meeting specific human rights benchmarks, including ending forced labor camps, stopping organ harvesting from prisoners, protecting Tibet's cultural heritage, and halting economic espionage. The President could temporarily restore normal trade relations through a waiver, but would need to submit detailed reports to Congress every six months and could face congressional disapproval.
Who Benefits and How
American manufacturers competing with Chinese imports would benefit from higher tariffs on Chinese goods, making their products more price-competitive in the U.S. market. Human rights advocacy organizations gain leverage, as the bill creates a formal mechanism to pressure China on human rights issues. Companies in countries like Vietnam, Mexico, and other nations would see increased business opportunities as U.S. importers shift supply chains away from China. Congressional oversight committees gain expanded authority to review and potentially block presidential waivers, strengthening Congress's role in China trade policy.
Who Bears the Burden and How
U.S. importers, retailers, and consumers would face significantly higher costs on Chinese products, as withdrawal of normal trade relations would mean Chinese goods face tariffs that could be 5-10 times higher than current rates. American exporters to China would likely face retaliatory measures, reducing their market access. The shipping, logistics, and port industries would see reduced revenue from handling China trade. The President and State Department would face substantial new administrative burdens, including preparing detailed semi-annual reports on China's human rights practices and justifying any waivers. Federal credit agencies like the Export-Import Bank would be prohibited from extending financing for China-related activities.
Key Provisions
- Immediately withdraws normal trade relations treatment for Chinese products, raising tariffs substantially
- Prohibits the U.S. government from extending credit guarantees, investment guarantees, or loan programs to China
- Blocks the President from signing new commercial agreements with China without first certifying China's compliance with human rights standards
- Requires semi-annual presidential reports to Congress detailing China's performance on nine specific human rights criteria, including freedom of emigration, prison labor, forced labor camps, treatment of political prisoners, Tibet, organ harvesting, and forced abortion/sterilization
- Allows the President to waive restrictions for 12 months if he determines it would promote human rights objectives and receives assurances of future Chinese improvements
- Gives Congress power to disapprove presidential waivers through a joint resolution using expedited legislative procedures
- Bases ineligibility criteria on violations of existing Jackson-Vanik Amendment provisions, International Labour Organization standards, and the 1992 China-U.S. prison labor memorandum of understanding
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Withdraws normal trade relations treatment from China and establishes human rights-based conditions for future eligibility for normal trade relations, credit programs, and commercial agreements.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Condition China's normal trade relations status on compliance with human rights standards, emigration freedom, and labor practices, with presidential waiver authority subject to congressional oversight"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Human rights organizations seeking leverage over China's policies
- Domestic manufacturers competing with Chinese imports
- Congressional oversight committees
- Countries competing with China for U.S. trade and investment
Likely Burden Bearers
- U.S. companies importing from or exporting to China
- U.S. consumers of Chinese goods (via higher prices if NTR withdrawn)
- Chinese exporters and government
- President (increased reporting and justification requirements)
- State Department (implementation of monitoring and reporting)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "congress"
- → United States Congress
- "the_president"
- → President of the United States
Note: No scope conflicts identified - bill has single section amending Trade Act of 1974
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Trade status under which Chinese products receive the same tariff treatment as products from most other countries
A joint resolution stating that Congress does not approve the extension of the authority contained in paragraph (3) of section 402(f) of the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to the People's Republic of China
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology