Bill · S. 348· Senate(119-S-348)
STABLE Trade Policy Act
- Introduced
- 1/30/2025
- Last activity
- 1/30/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Coons
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "STABLE Trade Policy Act," aims to limit the President's power to impose new or additional duties on articles imported from specific partner countries. These "covered countries" include NATO members, major non-NATO allies, and countries with existing free trade agreements with the United States. Under this act, the President would be required to submit a formal request to Congress before increasing such duties. This request must include specific objectives, explanations, and economic or national security impact assessments. Finally, any new or increased duty would require a joint resolution of approval from Congress to become law.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make trade with other countries easier?+5
The bill creates more stable trade conditions by requiring Congressional approval before the President can impose new duties on allies and free trade partners.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates that the President submit formal economic and national security impact assessments to Congress.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+4
The bill requires the President to explain why diplomatic engagement or dispute resolution cannot be used before imposing new duties.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-4
The bill reduces the unilateral authority of the President to impose duties, shifting more power to Congress.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Congressional Oversight: The bill requires the President to submit a formal request for authorization before increasing duties on covered countries, which includes providing a description of objectives and an assessment of impacts on the economy and national security (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Requirement for Diplomatic Alternatives: The President must explain why a duty cannot be achieved more effectively through diplomatic engagement or trade dispute resolution processes (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Economic and Security Assessments: The President is required to provide assessments of how a proposed duty would likely impact the United States economy and national security interests (Section 2(b)(1)(C) and (D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Legislative Delay in Trade Actions: The President can only proclaim a new or additional covered duty if a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law (Section 2(b)(2)), which introduces a requirement for Congressional approval before the President can act on duties related to NATO members, major non-NATO allies, or free trade partners (Section 2(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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+5Improves Diplomatic Engagement+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power-4
- 1/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia