What does Preamble of Secure Trade Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To impose additional duties on imports of goods into the United States, and for other purposes,' aims to impose additional duties on imported goods. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on August 15, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Secure Trade Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Secure Trade Act.

What does MODIFICATIONS TO RATES OF DUTY TO ADDRESS TRADE WITH THE of Secure Trade Act do?

This section outlines modifications to rates of duty applicable to articles from the People's Republic of China. The President is authorized to revise the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to include these modified rates. Existing rates of duty in the HTS are generally maintained, but with adjustments. Rates less than 35% ad valorem will increase to 35%, and those less than 100% ad valorem (for articles specified in section 203) will increase to 100%. Specific and compound rates of duty will also continue to apply, subject to inflation adjustments. Inflation adjustments to specific and compound rates of duty will occur annually, starting as soon as practicable after enactment and on December 31 of each year thereafter. Duty increases will be phased in over a five-year period, reaching full implementation five years after enactment. The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) will provide information to the President regarding articles subject to specific or compound rates of duty. The President has the authority to establish tariff-rate quotas for articles imported only from the People's Republic of China. The President may prohibit imports from the People's Republic of China if they pose a threat to national security or are produced in a manner that violates human rights or constitutes an unfair trade practice. The President also has broader authority to modify the HTS to achieve the objectives of the Act.

What does VALUATION OF MERCHANDISE IMPORTED FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC of Secure Trade Act do?

This section amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to establish a process for valuing merchandise imported from the People's Republic of China. Merchandise imported from China will be appraised based on its 'United States value', overriding other provisions of law. Importers are required to submit a statement of the 'United States value' to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon entry of the merchandise. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will verify the submitted value and report its determination to the United States International Trade Commission. If the submitted value is inaccurate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will provide a revised value to the Trade Commission. The 'United States value' is defined as the price at which similar merchandise is freely offered for sale in the principal market of the United States, packed ready for delivery, at the time of importation.

What does ARTICLES SPECIFIED. of Secure Trade Act do?

This section defines the articles that are considered 'articles specified' for the purposes of this legislation. Articles are specified if, prior to the Act's enactment, they were identified on the Department of Commerce's Draft List of Critical Supply Chains under Executive Order 14017. Articles are also specified if they were subject to an investigation under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1971 or section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Additionally, the Secretary of Commerce has discretion to designate dual-use items as 'articles specified'.

What does REVIEW BY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED of Secure Trade Act do?

This section amends Section 721(a)(4) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 to include certain real estate investments by foreign countries of concern within the definition of a 'covered transaction'. The amendment defines a covered transaction as an investment by a foreign person involving the purchase or lease of real estate and the establishment of a U.S. business on that real estate, which could result in control by a foreign government of concern or related entities. The definition of control includes formal or informal arrangements to act in concert, and specifies various levels of government involvement, including ownership, appointment power, and government official involvement. The amendment also modifies references to subparagraphs within Section 721(a)(4)(C)(i) and (E) to reflect the addition of clause (vi). This section mandates the filing of declarations for covered transactions described in subsection (a)(4)(B)(vi), specifically greenfield and brownfield investments by foreign countries of concern.

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Secure Trade Act

Q: What does IMPOSITION OF ADDITIONAL DUTIES ON IMPORTS OF GOODS INTO THE of Secure Trade Act do?

This section establishes a 10 percent ad valorem duty on imports of goods into the United States, effective upon enactment of the Act. These duties are considered additional to any other duties already imposed by law. The President has the authority to reduce the percentage requirement of the duty, but not to zero, if deemed in the national interest or national security interest. Before reducing the duty percentage, the President must consult with the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

Last updated: 8/15/2025 · Introduced: 8/15/2025

Author: Jared Golden (D-ME)

TL;DR (AI)

The Secure Trade Act imposes a 10% duty on all goods imported into the United States, effective immediately upon enactment.
Rates of duty for goods imported from the People’s Republic of China will be adjusted, with rates below 35% increasing to 35% and those below 100% increasing to 100%, phased in over five years.
Merchandise imported from China will be valued based on its 'United States value,' which is the price at which similar merchandise is offered for sale in the U.S.
The Act designates specific articles as 'articles specified' if they were previously identified as critical supply chains, subject to trade investigations, or designated by the Secretary of Commerce.
Investments by foreign countries of concern in U.S. real estate that could lead to government control will now require declarations and are considered 'covered transactions' under the Defense Production Act.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1388(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title..

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TITLE I

-IMPOSITION OF ADDITIONAL DUTIES ON IMPORTS OF GOODS INTO THE

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TITLE II

-TRADE WITH CHINA

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