Project Vote Smart

Legislation - Signed (Executive) - Oct. 21, 2011

Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) - Oct. 12, 2011 (Key vote)

Title: Free Trade Agreement with Korea

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that approves and implements the free trade agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Highlight: -Establishes preferential tariff treatment for originating goods (Sec. 202). -Defines "preferential tariff treatment" as the customs duty rate for an originating good (Sec. 202). -Defines an "originating good" as a good that (Sec. 202):

-Is wholly obtained in Korea, the United States, or both nations; -Is produced entirely in Korea, the United States, or both nations exclusively from originating materials; or -Consists of originating and non-originating materials, and any non-originating materials used to make the good have undergone a regional value content calculation and subsequent change in tariff classification.

-Prohibits the assessment of customs fees on originating goods (Sec. 203). -Specifies that the tariff on passenger cars imported from Korea shall be 2.5 percent for years 1 through 4 of this agreement, and duty free for each year thereafter (Sec. 201). -Specifies that the tariff on electric cars imported from Korea shall be as follows (Sec. 201):

-2 percent for year 1 of the agreement; -1.5 percent for year 2 of the agreement; -1 percent for year 3 of the agreement; -0.5 percent for year 4 of the agreement; and -Duty free for each year thereafter.

-Requires the President to examine the effect of increased imports on domestic industry including, but not limited to, changes in exports, wages, market share, domestic prices, and profits when making a determination regarding import relief (Sec. 332). -Authorizes the President to exclude Korean imports that are a "substantial cause" of "serious injury or threat" (Sec. 341). -This act is effective January 1, 2012 (Sec. 101).

Legislation - Bill Passed (House) - Oct. 12, 2011 (Key vote)

Title: Free Trade Agreement with Korea

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that approves and implements the free trade agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Highlight: -Establishes preferential tariff treatment for originating goods (Sec. 202). -Defines "preferential tariff treatment" as the customs duty rate for an originating good (Sec. 202). -Defines an "originating good" as a good that (Sec. 202):

-Is wholly obtained in Korea, the United States, or both nations; -Is produced entirely in Korea, the United States, or both nations exclusively from originating materials; or -Consists of originating and non-originating materials, and any non-originating materials used to make the good have undergone a regional value content calculation and subsequent change in tariff classification.

-Prohibits the assessment of customs fees on originating goods (Sec. 203). -Specifies that the tariff on passenger cars imported from Korea shall be 2.5 percent for years 1 through 4 of this agreement, and duty free for each year thereafter (Sec. 201). -Specifies that the tariff on electric cars imported from Korea shall be as follows (Sec. 201):

-2 percent for year 1 of the agreement; -1.5 percent for year 2 of the agreement; -1 percent for year 3 of the agreement; -0.5 percent for year 4 of the agreement; and -Duty free for each year thereafter.

-Requires the President to examine the effect of increased imports on domestic industry including, but not limited to, changes in exports, wages, market share, domestic prices, and profits when making a determination regarding import relief (Sec. 332). -Authorizes the President to exclude Korean imports that are a "substantial cause" of "serious injury or threat" (Sec. 341). -This act is effective January 1, 2012 (Sec. 101).

Legislation - Introduced (House) - Oct. 3, 2011

Title: Free Trade Agreement with Korea