Bill · H.R. 4978· House(119-HR-4978)
Secure Trade Act
- Introduced
- 8/15/2025
- Last activity
- 8/15/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Jared Golden
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Secure Trade Act imposes a 10 percent ad valorem duty on all goods imported into the United States. It specifically targets trade with the People's Republic of China by revising duty rates and establishing minimum thresholds. For certain articles, duty rates may be increased to 100 percent ad valorem. The bill also establishes tariff-rate quotas for goods imported exclusively from China and grants the President authority to prohibit specific imports. Finally, it expands the definition of covered transactions for review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this give the federal government more power?+6
The bill grants the President broad authority to set duty rates, establish quotas, and prohibit specific imports.
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?+5
The bill imposes a 10 percent ad valorem duty on all imported goods, which increases costs for companies relying on international supply chains.
Would union members be better off under this?+3
Higher duties on imports may provide more protection for domestic labor and manufacturing jobs.
The opposite· 3 of 7
Does this make trade with other countries easier?-5
The bill imposes significant new duties and potential import prohibitions on trade with the People's Republic of China.
Is this likely to slow the rise in prices?-3
The imposition of new duties and annual inflation adjustments on imported goods may drive up consumer prices.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-3
New import duties may lead to higher prices for essential consumer goods, disproportionately affecting low-income budgets.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Presidential Flexibility for Economic Security: The President has the authority to reduce the 10 percent duty for specific economic sectors if it serves the national interest or national security (Section 101(c)(1)).
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Protection Against High-Rate Articles: For certain articles, the law increases duty rates to a minimum of 100 percent ad valorem to address specific trade needs (Section 201(b)(1)(B)).
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Counteracting Trade Dependency: The President is authorized to increase duty rates higher than the standard levels to counteract the United States' dependence on imports from the People's Republic of China (Section 201(g)(1)).
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National Security and Human Rights Protections: The President has the authority to prohibit imports that pose a threat to national security or are produced in a manner that violates human rights (Section 201(h)(2)).
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Increased Oversight of Foreign Investments: The bill expands the definition of covered transactions to include investments by foreign persons involving the purchase or lease of real estate and the establishment of U.S. businesses (Section 204(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Costs on All Imports: A 10 percent ad valorem duty will be imposed on any good imported into the United States (Section 101(a)).
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Higher Duties on Non-Strategic Goods from China: For goods not specified in section 203, any duty rate currently less than 35 percent ad valorem will be increased to 35 percent (Section 201(a)(2)(B)).
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Significant Duty Increases for Specific Articles: For articles specified in section 203, duty rates less than 100 percent ad valorem will be increased to 100 percent (Section 201(b)(1)(B)).
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Increased Costs via Inflation Adjustments: Specific and compound rates of duty will be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (Section 201(c)).
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Higher Valuation Standards for Chinese Merchandise: Merchandise from the People's Republic of China will be appraised based on the United States value rather than other standards (Section 202(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+1Improves International Trade-5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Corporate Taxes+5Increases Job Creation+2Reduces Inflation-3Improves Small Business Support-2Improves Economic Growth-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Low Income Households-3Good For Middle Class Households-2Good For High Income Households-1
- 8/15/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
W. SteubeRepublican · Florida