From: / Will Leahy, Manager, China Policy
To: / Asia Task Force, China AmChams
I) U.S. Chamber JCCT Submission
Attached, please find the U.S. Chamber’s 2007 submission to the Department of Commerce and Office of the USTR on the Chamber’s priorities for the fall 2007 meeting of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Beijing.
II) China-Related Legislative Timeline Prior to August Recess
Below, please find a tentative timeline for China-related legislative activities over the next two weeks prior to the August recess.
Senate Finance Executive Session- Monday July 23
The Senate Finance Committee will hold an executive session this afternoon to discuss the Baucus-Grassley bill (S. 1607).
Senate Finance Markup of S. 1607- Potentially this Thursday July 26
Based on statements by relevant members and staff, it is likely that the Finance Committee will mark up Baucus-Grassley by the end of this week.
Senate Banking Markup of S. 1677- Some time before August recess
Similarly, based on statement by members and staff, it is likely that the Banking Committee will mark up the Dodd-Shelby bill (S.1677) prior to the August recess.
Senate Commerce Committee Hearing- This Wednesday July 25
The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism will hold a hearing Wednesday July 25 at 2:30 PM on “U.S. Trade Relations with China”.
The following witnesses will likely testify:
  • Jimmy Hoffa Jr., President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters;
  • Brian O’Shaughnessy, President and CEO,Revere Copper;
  • A representative from the Alliance for Manufacturing;
  • Rob Nichols, President and COO, Financial Services Forum.
The hearing webcast can be accessed through the Committee’s web site.
Ways and Means Hearing- Likely next Thursday August 2
According to sources, the Ways and Means hearing will have 4 panels, and will be structured as follows:
  • Panel 1:
Will focus on different legislative options for addressing China’s currency, including Ryan-Hunter (H.R. 2942), Baucus-Grassley (S. 1607), and Dodd-Shelby (S.1677).
  • Panel 2:
Will focus on trade remedies, including zeroing, Section 421, the ITC injury standard, and potentially the Davis-English (H.R. 1229) proposal (despite the fact that the Trade Subcommittee held a hearing on the legislation earlier in the spring).
  • Panel 3:
Will focus on food safety from a U.S. exporter’s point of view, in particular on China’s SPS measures.
  • Panel 4:
Composed of Administration witnesses. USTR, Commerce, Treasury, and Customs will be invited.
Given the timing of the hearing, the subsequent bill, however it takes shape, will not be marked up until after the August recess.
III) House Committee on Foreign Affairs Announces Export Controls Hearing
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade will hold a hearing this Thursday July 26th entitled “Export Controls: Are We Protecting Security and Facilitating Exports?”
The Subcommittee will hear testimony from Chris Padilla, Assistant Secretary for Export Administration, Department of Commerce, as well as other government and industry witnesses.
More information can be found on the Committee web site.
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