[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 7, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3459-H3461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CHAMPIONING AMERICAN BUSINESS THROUGH DIPLOMACY ACT OF 2019
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1704) to foster commercial relations with foreign countries and
support United States economic and business interests abroad in the
conduct of foreign policy, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1704
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Championing American
Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) According to the 2017 National Security Strategy of the
United States of America, ``Retaining our position as the
world's preeminent economic actor strengthens our ability to
use the tools of economic diplomacy for the good of Americans
and others.''.
(2) A November 7, 2018, cable from Secretary of State
Michael R. Pompeo to all diplomatic and consular posts--
``Boosting Commercial Diplomacy Around the World''--stated
that ``helping American companies is a foreign policy
priority . . . Promoting broad-based, responsible, and
sustainable economic growth helps to stabilize regions and
creates new and growing markets for U.S. companies. A
transparent and level playing field for U.S. investment in
these countries counters real and growing challenges such as
China's Belt and Road initiative.''.
(3) In the January-February 2019 issue of The Foreign
Service Journal, Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, the President
of the American Foreign Service Association, wrote ``Foreign
Service support for American business . . . is a major reason
why the U.S. Foreign Service was created.''.
SEC. 3. ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Subsection (c) of section 1 of the State Department Basic
Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph:
``(3) Assistant secretary for economic and business
matters.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to the numerical limitation
specified in paragraph (1), there is authorized to be
established in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary
of State who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State
for matters pertaining to international economics and
business matters in the conduct of foreign policy.
``(B) Matters contemplated.--The matters referred to in
subparagraph (A) include the following:
``(i) International trade and investment policy.
``(ii) International finance, economic development, and
debt policy.
``(iii) Economic sanctions and combating terrorist
financing.
``(iv) International transportation policy.
``(v) Support for United States businesses.
``(vi) Economic policy analysis and private sector
outreach.
``(vii) International data privacy and innovation policies.
``(viii) Such other related duties as the Secretary may
from time to time designate.''.
SEC. 4. CHIEF OF MISSION RESPONSIBILITIES.
Section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
3927) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(d) Promotion of United States Economic Interests.--Each
chief of mission to a foreign country shall have as a
principal duty the promotion of United States economic and
commercial interests in such country.''.
SEC. 5. INCREASED TRAINING IN ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL
DIPLOMACY.
Section 708 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4028) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(d) Economic and Commercial Diplomacy.--The Secretary of
State, with the assistance of other relevant officials and
the private sector, shall establish as part of the standard
training provided for economic and commercial officers of the
Foreign Service, chiefs of mission, and deputy chiefs of
mission, training on matters related to economic and
commercial diplomacy, with particular attention to market
access and other elements of an enabling framework for United
States businesses, commercial advocacy, and United States
foreign economic policy, in addition to awareness about the
support of the United States Government available to United
States businesses, including support provided by the
Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Millennium
Challenge Corporation, the Trade and Development Agency, the
Department of the Treasury, the United States Agency for
International Development, and the United States
International Development Finance Corporation.''.
SEC. 6. REPORT FROM EACH MISSION ON MATTERS OF COMMERCIAL
RELATIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the chief
of mission at each bilateral diplomatic mission of the United
States and the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan
shall submit to the Secretary of State the following:
(1) Data and other information regarding actions taken by
each such mission or Institute during the previous year to
foster commercial relations and safeguard United States
economic and business interests in the country or region in
which each such chief of mission and the Director serves.
(2) Each such mission's and Institute's anticipated
economic and commercial priorities for the coming year.
(b) Report to Congress.--The Secretary of State, after
receiving the information required under subsection (a),
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate a report, disaggregated by country or region, on
activities and initiatives, including with appropriate
examples, to create an enabling environment and otherwise
promote United States economic and business interests in each
such country or region, as well as information about
significant foreign competition to United States businesses
in the relevant country or region, including state-directed
investments by foreign governments and United States
strategic competitors in such country or region.
SEC. 7. REPORT ON UNIFIED INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT AND
COUNTRY COMMERCIAL GUIDE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary
of Commerce shall jointly produce and make publicly available
on a United States Government internet website an annual
country- and region-specific report regarding commercial
relations with foreign countries and regions and safeguarding
United States economic and business interests abroad,
including with regard to United States exports and
investments, including by small- and medium-size enterprises.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--Each report required under
subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to
each country or region covered by each such report:
(1) Information about doing business in each country or
region.
(2) Background information about each country's or region's
political environment.
(3) Information about selling United States products and
services in each country or region.
(4) Leading sectors for United States exports and
investment in each country or region.
(5) Information about trade regulations, customs, and
standards in each country or region, such as--
(A) information on import tariffs; and
(B) documentation about which United States businesses
should be aware when exporting, including any prohibited
items or temporary entry procedures.
(6) Investment climate statements describing each country's
or region's openness to foreign investments, such as
information relating to each country's or region's--
(A) investment policies;
(B) market barriers;
(C) business risks;
(D) legal and regulatory system, including dispute
resolution;
(E) level of public and private sector corruption;
(F) level of political violence and instability;
(G) adherence to internationally recognized core labor
standards; and
(H) protection of property rights.
(7) Information about trade and project financing in each
country or region, such as each country's or region's--
(A) banking and financial system, and how United States
businesses typically get paid;
(B) foreign exchange controls; and
(C) important sources of funding for project financing.
(8) Relevant business travel information and business
customs in each country or region.
(9) Information about services and personnel of the
diplomatic mission of the United States available to United
States businesses to support their activities in each country
or region.
(10) Any significant trade or commercial agreement that
exists between the United States and each country or region.
(11) A point of contact at the diplomatic or consular
mission of the United States in each country or region for
United States businesses.
SEC. 8. IMPROVING AWARENESS OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TOOLS
AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT UNITED STATES
BUSINESSES OVERSEAS.
The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce shall
take actions to improve United States businesses' awareness
of United States Government tools and services to assist such
businesses overseas, especially small and medium-sized
enterprises, including by coordinating with State trade
agencies, Export Assistance Centers, and Small Businesses
Development Centers.
SEC. 9. NEGOTIATIONS TO ESTABLISH INTERNATIONAL QUALITY
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT STANDARDS.
(a) In General.--The President, acting through the
Secretary of State, and in coordination with other relevant
Federal agency heads, shall initiate and pursue negotiations
with countries to establish international standards for
government-supported
[[Page H3460]]
quality infrastructure investment overseas, including with
respect to the following:
(1) Respect for the sovereignty of countries in which
infrastructure investments are made.
(2) Anti-corruption.
(3) Fiscal and debt sustainability.
(4) Environmental, social and governance safeguards.
(5) Local labor.
(6) Transparency.
(b) Report on Progress of Negotiations.--Not later than one
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the President
shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate on the progress of any negotiations
described in subsection (a).
SEC. 10. REPORT BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
(a) In General.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on United States
economic and commercial diplomacy.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The report required under
subsection (a) shall include an assessment of the following:
(1) What is known about the effectiveness of United States
economic and commercial diplomacy in influencing foreign
governments and supporting United States businesses abroad.
(2) Coordination between the Department of State and the
Department of Commerce with respect to United States economic
and commercial diplomacy.
(3) The effectiveness of training provided pursuant to
subsection (d) of section 708 of the Foreign Service Act of
1980 (as added by section 4 of this Act) on matters relating
to economic and commercial diplomacy.
(4) The status and effectiveness of actions taken by the
Secretary of State under section 7 of this Act regarding
commercial relations with foreign countries and regions and
safeguarding United States economic and business interests
abroad.
(5) Recommendations to improve United States economic and
commercial diplomacy.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Sires) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 1704, the Championing American
Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank first Mr. McCaul for his hard work
on this legislation.
I am proud to be supporting this legislation, this bipartisan
measure, which makes better use of State Department resources to
increase exports of American-made goods and American-provided services
and, in turn, creates more jobs for American workers.
This important bill supports the 277,000 small and medium-sized
businesses that are trying to sell U.S.-origin goods and services
across the globe.
They need help understanding the overseas market, locating customers
for U.S.-origin products, dealing with local imports and customs rules,
and arranging financing for their export sales. All these efforts
support U.S. jobs. Economic officers in our embassies and at the State
Department in Washington can help exporters deal with these challenges.
This piece of legislation improves the State Department's training
program for economic officers, affirms a long-standing directive to
U.S. Ambassadors to include commercial and economic issues in their
portfolios, and strengthens coordination between the State Department
and the Commerce Department by consolidating data on overseas markets.
These efforts fortify the key role of our State Department, provides
critical confirmation to U.S. exporters, and makes more efficient use
of public funds.
H.R. 1704 is a critical bill that will not only spur exports and job
growth but will ultimately improve the lives of the American people.
Our sponsors and I would also like to clarify the requirements under
section 9 of H.R. 1704 to ``initiate and pursue negotiations with
countries to establish international standards for government-supported
quality infrastructure investment overseas'' are intended to be
fulfilled within the Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development.
This bill does not direct or authorize the Secretary of State to
initiate or pursue negotiations in the World Trade Organization or
amend any multilateral or plurilateral WTO agreements.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this measure, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my Championing American
Business Through Diplomacy Act, which I was pleased to introduce with
the support of my good friend, Chairman Engel.
Promoting American business abroad means promoting American
leadership, prosperity, and our values. It has always been, and should
remain, a key component of global diplomacy.
The very first edition of the Foreign Service Journal, then called
American Consular Bulletin, published in March of 1919, included a
letter from the editor that stated: ``The Consular Service was
organized by our Government for the purpose of furthering the interests
of American businesses abroad.''
This legislation makes the promotion of U.S. economic interests a
principal duty of our missions abroad and requires economic and
commercial training for our diplomats.
It also directs our foreign missions to promote trade agreements and
establish points of contact who can assist American businesses
interested in entering those foreign markets.
Promotion of American businesses abroad has never been more
important. As transitioning economies work to expand their wealth and
capacity, they look to America to bring expertise, financing, and
ingenuity.
If America does not step up its economic engagement in the world,
this vacuum will be filled by others, with a potentially devastating
impact on American national security.
While I speak, China is aggressively filling that void. However, its
approach does not respect the rights of workers, the environment, or
even the sovereignty of other nations.
China's Belt and Road Initiative is ensnaring developing nations into
Chinese debt traps from which they may never escape. This effort is
also leading to a new Chinese adventurism, complete with military
outposts and expanded leverage in various countries.
Ground zero for this competition in the developing world is Africa. I
have spent much time with African Governments and business leaders. All
have told me that America is just not there to compete. I applaud the
administration for its new Prosper Africa efforts and know that this
legislation is key to its success.
I can think of no better antidote to combat this predatory influence
than unleashing the vitality of American values through our private
sector. I naturally think of the world-class tech and energy companies
in my own district and home State of Texas.
Creating more international opportunities for American businesses
will help push back on growing Chinese influence across the globe.
It is time for America to fully wake up and get on the field, or we
may ask ourselves later why we did not do more to contain the Chinese
threat.
For these reasons, the Championing American Business Through
Diplomacy Act is a critical initiative that deserves our unanimous
support.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to just, again, thank Chairman Engel
for his support of this bipartisan bill, which was adopted unanimously
at our committee markup last month.
American businesses represent ingenuity, industry, and opportunity.
Unlike our strategic competitors, they do not go overseas pushing
large, government-subsidized construction projects that involve massive
debt or giving up control of strategic infrastructure.
They seek only access to markets and a fair playing field, which
allows the kind of win-win partnerships that are the genius of the free
enterprise system.
In this era of strategic competition, supporting their access to
these economies abroad should be a priority of American diplomacy. The
stability that we help provide with our enterprise will help bring us
and the world security as well. That is the aim of this bill.
[[Page H3461]]
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
important measure, H.R. 1704, to fully and efficiently use the
resources we already have to increase exports and create jobs and, in
turn, improve the lives of the American people.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1704.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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