OECD Shipbuilding Agreement Act

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Part 1: General Provisions Part 2: Other Provisions Part 3: Effective Date Part 1: General Provisions - OECD Shipbuilding Agreement Act - Declares that the Congress approves the Agreement Respecting Normal Competitive Conditions in the Commercial Shipbuilding and Repair Industry (Shipbuilding Agreement), a reciprocal trade agreement resulting from negotiations under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, entered into on December 21, 1994. (Sec. 103) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose an injurious pricing charge upon the foreign producer of a vessel sold to U.S. buyers at less than fair value if the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that as a result of the sale an industry in the United States: (1) has been materially injured, or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment of an industry in the United States is or has been materially retarded. Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) an injurious pricing investigation by an administering authority (Secretary of Commerce, or any other Federal officer to whom such responsibilities are transferred); (2) collection of such an injurious pricing charge; and (3) imposition of countermeasures. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) injurious pricing petitions by third countries, and by eligible interested parties with respect to a sale to a buyer in a Shipbuilding Agreement Party; (2) a comparison between export price and normal value in order to determine whether a subject vessel has been sold at less than fair value; (3) hearings and determinations on the basis of available facts; and (4) conduct of investigations. Authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to request the Commission to issue an advisory report, and to notify certain congressional committees, if a dispute settlement panel finds that a Commission action is not in conformity with U.S. obligations under the Shipbuilding Agreement. Provides for implementation of Commission determinations, including suspensions of injurious pricing charges. (Sec. 104) Directs the Customs Service to deny any request, with certain exceptions, for a permit to lade or unlade passengers, merchandise, or baggage from or onto vessels appearing on a countermeasures list pursuant to this Act. (Sec. 105) Provides for judicial review in injurious pricing and countermeasure proceedings. Part 2: Other Provisions - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt certain Shipbuilding Agreement Party vessels from the customs duty on equipment purchased for, and repairs made in a foreign country, upon a vessel documented under U.S. law to engage in the foreign or coastwise trade. Specifies as so exempt: (1) self- propelled seagoing vessels of 100 gross tons or more used for transportation of goods or persons or for performance of a specialized service (including, but not limited to, ice breakers and dredges); and (2) tugs of 365 kilowatts or more. (Sec. 112) Precludes any private right of action under the Shipbuilding Agreement. (Sec. 114) Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to include a Shipbuilding Agreement vessel within its eligibility guidelines on construction-differential and operating-differential subsidies. Revises guidelines for Federal loans and guaranteed loans for shipbuilding. (Sec. 116) Provides, with respect to the Shipbuilding Agreement, for: (1) Party withdrawal (and termination of withdrawal); (2) Party compliance monitoring by the USTR; (3) non-Party accession; and (4) protection of U.S. interests. (Sec. 117) Directs the USTR to: (1) establish a program to monitor the compliance of Shipbuilding Agreement Parties with their obligations under the Agreement; and (2) use the consultation and dispute settlement procedures under the Agreement to redress Agreement violations. Part 3: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.

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5 official files

• Reference Change Senate (text)

  Reference Change Senate · EN · 22 April 1997

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• Reference Change Senate (PDF)

  Reference Change Senate · EN · 22 April 1997

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• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 22 April 1997

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• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 22 April 1997

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 22 April 1997

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