Section 301 Committee

Summary of Section 301 Committee

A component of the Office of the United States Trade Representative that investigates allegations of unfair trade practices on the part of foreign governments, practices that impede the foreign commerce of the United States. These practices fall under the broad category of nontariff barriers and include, inter alia, discrimination in the procurement practices of the foreign government, restrictive business practices, special border taxes, and horsepower taxes. The committee is empowered to investigate complaints of unfair practices, hold hearings, and report its findings to the president. The committee derives its name from Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, under which the president is authorized to retaliate against foreign states that impose unfair burdens on American trade by suspending the benefits of U.S. trade concessions previously granted and by imposing restrictions or fees on the commerce of the attending nation.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)