The STABLE Trade Policy Act would add a mandatory Congress-facing approval step before the President can declare new or higher tariffs on imports from certain U.S. allies and trade partners. Specifically, the bill limits tariff authority by requiring Congress to authorize any “covered duty” on goods from “covered countries” (NATO members, major non-NATO allies, or countries with a free trade agreement with the United States). A proposed tariff can be proclaimed only after the President submits a detailed request to Congress (describing goals, explaining why diplomacy or other mechanisms won’t work, and assessing effects on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and the economy) and Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval that authorizes the tariff rates. In short, the bill makes tariff decisions targeting allies and free-trade-partner countries a collective, expedited legislative decision rather than a unilateral executive action. It uses a fast-track process to approve the President’s proposed duties, with a narrowly defined joint resolution that would authorize the exact rates proposed in the President’s request.
Key Points
- 1Covered countries and duties: The act defines “covered country” as NATO members, major non-NATO allies (MNNA), or any country with a U.S. free trade agreement. “Covered duties” are tariffs or duties proposed under certain broad legal authorities (such as those in the Trade Expansion Act, the Tariff Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act).
- 2New/expanded duties require congressional authorization: The President may only proclaim a new or increased duty on imports from a covered country after Congress approves via a joint resolution of approval.
- 3What the President must submit: The President must send a request to Congress that includes (A) the objective of the duty, (B) why diplomacy or other dispute-resolution methods won’t achieve that objective, (C) an assessment of impact on U.S. foreign policy and national security, and (D) an assessment of the likely economic impact on the United States and relevant industries.
- 4Joint resolution of approval: The bill creates a specific form for the authorization (“That Congress authorizes the President to proclaim duty rates as set forth in the request...”). It can be introduced in either chamber within 15 legislative days after the President’s submission.
- 5Expedited process: The act applies expedited procedures from the Trade Act of 1974 for moving the joint resolution (similar fast-track treatment) and treats the joint resolution as part of the normal rules process of Congress, while preserving each House’s constitutional rulemaking rights.