Bill Summary
This legislation, titled "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Trade Representative should promptly resume negotiations to conclude the Environmental Goods Agreement," urges the United States Trade Representative to resume negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement within 90 days. This agreement, initiated in 2014, aims to eliminate tariffs on environmental goods such as wind turbines and water treatment filters in order to promote a transition to a low-emissions economy and support green jobs. The resolution highlights the importance of addressing climate change and making environmentally-friendly products more accessible and affordable to countries around the world. By resuming negotiations, the United States can also level the playing field for American manufacturers in the global market.
Possible Impacts
1. The Environmental Goods Agreement may lead to increased access to affordable environmental goods for people in developing countries, potentially improving their quality of life and access to clean energy and water.
2. American manufacturers may benefit from the elimination of tariffs on environmental goods, potentially leading to the creation of more green jobs and boosting the economy.
3. The resolution may put pressure on the United States Trade Representative to prioritize negotiations for the Environmental Goods Agreement, potentially resulting in faster progress and implementation of the agreement.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 828 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 828
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United
States Trade Representative should promptly resume negotiations to
conclude the Environmental Goods Agreement.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 4, 2020
Ms. DelBene (for herself, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Sewell of
Alabama, and Mr. Kind) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United
States Trade Representative should promptly resume negotiations to
conclude the Environmental Goods Agreement.
Whereas climate change is one of the most serious threats we face today;
Whereas transitioning towards a low-emissions economy must be a priority for all
countries;
Whereas, on July 8, 2014, the United States and other member countries of the
World Trade Organization, accounting for nearly 90 percent of global
exports in environmental goods, began negotiations on the Environmental
Goods Agreement;
Whereas the Environmental Goods Agreement would eliminate tariffs on a broad
range of environmental goods including wind turbines, water treatment
filters, solar water heaters, and bicycles;
Whereas the United States is a leader in the development of environmental goods,
but such goods can face tariffs as high as 50 percent when exported to
other countries; and
Whereas the negotiations represent a significant opportunity to help countries
across the world access high-quality affordable environmental goods
while also leveling the playing field for American manufacturers and
supporting green jobs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that
not later than 90 days after the date of the adoption of this
Resolution, the United States Trade Representative should resume
negotiations to conclude the Environmental Goods Agreement.
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