ITA, ITC Get Big Spending Bumps
The International Trade Administration will receive a major increase in funding from the last fiscal year, a bump from $559 million to $625 million, the more than 4,000-page annual appropriations bill says. Of that, $16.4 million is dedicated for China antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement and compliance, exactly what the administration asked for (see 2203280048).
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The International Trade Commission also will receive a large increase, going from $110 million from the last fiscal year to $122.4 million -- the 11% increase follows an almost 7% increase in fiscal year 2022.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will receive $61 million, though it also retains $15 million in receipts from the trade enforcement trust fund. That is about $500,000 less than USTR asked for, but still $6 million above last year's funding. The appropriations bill, which is expected to pass this week, also allows USTR to retain money for implementing USMCA if it hasn't been spent through the end of this fiscal year, Sept. 30, 2023.
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, which analyzes the countries and products most likely to be produced with forced labor, will get $81,725,000 in funding through the end of calendar year 2023. Of that, at least $30,175,000 "shall be for programs to combat exploitative child labor internationally, and not less than $30,175,000 shall be used to implement model programs that address worker rights issues through technical assistance in countries" that are either in a free trade agreement with the U.S. or are beneficiaries of the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program or the African Growth and Opportunity Act, as well as Haiti.
At CBP, $15.6 billion in funding will include $126 million for trade and travel assets and infrastructure, and $99.9 million for facility construction and improvements. The bill says that $309 million in general funds can offset the loss of immigration user fee revenue. The bill specifically says CBP can "alter operations within the National Targeting Center."
At the FDA, the legislators specify that the agency has to spend at least $15 million on inspections of foreign seafood manufacturers and field examinations of imported seafood.
While the legislation does not extend the tariff waivers for imported infant formula and ingredients for formula, it directs the FDA to track how much production might fall if there is a future recall, and if the supply will drop by more than 10%, it needs to develop a plan to backfill, either by working with other manufacturers to increase production or to identify what authorities it needs to allow importation to fill a supply gap. This part of the law sunsets at the end of FY 2026.
The bill says that for 90 days after passage, any individual may import a three-month supply of infant formula for personal use from Canada, any country in the EU, or any other country the FDA says has appropriate safety and nutritional adequacy controls. It says Congress recommends that would-be importers consult their pediatrician first.