HR 3982119th CongressIntroduced

To establish a Tariff Response and Damages to Exports fund, and for other purposes.

Introduced: Jun 12, 2025

Agriculture & FoodEconomy & Taxes

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 3982 would create a new Tariff Response and Damages to Exports Fund (the TRADE Fund) inside the general fund of the U.S. Treasury. The fund would be financed by tariff revenues collected on imports classified in chapters 1-24 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The Secretary of Agriculture would use these funds to make payments to agricultural producers who have been harmed by export competition or other trade-related market disruptions (including reduced exports, foreign tariff or non-tariff barriers, or increased costs of production inputs). The bill requires annual reporting to Congress on fund revenues, the economic impact of trade disruptions, and the assistance provided. All authorities would sunset on September 30, 2030, with any unspent balances rescinded.

Key Points

1Establishment and funding of the TRADE Fund: Creates a Tariff Response and Damages to Exports Fund within the general fund, with money deposited from tariffs collected on imports under HTS chapters 1-24, and funds available without separate annual appropriation.
2Purpose and use: The Secretary of Agriculture would provide payments to qualifying agricultural producers affected by export competition or other trade disruptions (e.g., decreased exports, foreign barriers, higher production input costs).
3Reporting requirements: Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year in which a direct payment is made, the Secretary must report total tariff revenues deposited, assessed economic impacts, and a summary of assistance provided; reports go to specified congressional committees.
4Sunset and rescission: All authorities end on September 30, 2030, and unobligated funds in the TRADE Fund would be permanently rescinded.
5Jurisdiction and referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Ways and Means Committee and the Agriculture Committee for consideration.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: U.S. agricultural producers affected by export competition and other trade-related disruptions (including losses from reduced exports and higher input costs).Secondary group/area affected: Industries in the agricultural supply chain (e.g., input suppliers, shippers, and related businesses) that could feel the indirect effects of altered producer payments and trade dynamics; policymakers and federal agencies involved in trade and agriculture.Additional impacts:- Fiscal/budgetary: Redirects tariff revenues to a targeted fund, potentially affecting how tariff73 revenue is perceived relative to other uses; creates an ongoing, non-appropriated funding stream through 2030.- Accountability: Requires annual reporting to Congress, increasing oversight of how trade disruptions translate into payments and the overall impact on affected producers.- Policy incentives: By tying payments to tariff receipts, the bill could influence considerations of trade policy and tariff-exception scenarios, though the program’s design is to compensate affected producers rather than alter tariff policy directly.Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS): The system used to classify imported goods for tariff purposes.Tariff revenues: Duties collected by customs on imports.Export competition/market disruptions: Conditions where foreign competition or trade barriers reduce U.S. exports or raise costs for producers.Unobligated balances: Funds that have not yet been committed to payments or other obligations.Sunset: A termination date after which the program and authority no longer exist.

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