Mark Pryor on Trade Policy

Summary

Senator Pryor's record on trade policy is mixed. On the one hand, he voted in favor of the Central American Free Trade Agreement in 2005. However, he has been active in keeping in place tariffs on steel. He also supported legislation to allow manufacturers to bring tariff claims against China. Overall, he has shown both "free-trade" and "fair-trade" principles.

Stop Overseas Subsidies Act

In 2004, Senator Pryor supported the Stopping Overseas Subsidies Act. The legisaltion would allow the U.S. to bring tariff claims on Non-Market Economies, such as China and Vietnam, when they import products below market prices. The money collected from these tariffs would be put into a special account and given out as grants to U.S. companies who have suffered from the illegal trade tactics of foreign competitors.

Export Promotion Act

In March of 2012, Senator Pryor introduced the Export Promotion Act. This legislation would authorize the Commerce Department to seek input from U.S. companies on how to improve export programs, identify opportunities for increased exports and re-assign trade personnel accordingly. It would also require ambassadors to create a plan for increasing US exports to the region. He added that our modern economy is built on our ability to fairly trade and compete with other nations.

Steel Tariffs

In 2005 and 2007, Senator Pryor testified before the International Trade Commission calling for continued tariffs on hot-rolled steel imports. He stated that US steel manufacturers should not be forced to compete with foreign manufacturers who export subsidized imports.

 

Stop Overseas Subsidies Act

In March of 2004, Senator Pryor issued a press statement noting his support for the Stopping Overseas Subsidies Act. The legisaltion would allow the U.S. to bring tariff claims on Non-Market Economies, such as China and Vietnam, when they import products below market prices. The money collected from these tariffs would be put into a special account and given out as grants to U.S. companies who have suffered from the illegal trade tactics of foreign competitors.

 

Steel Tariffs

In March of 2005, Senator Pryor issued a press statement noting his testimony before the ITC on the need to defend domestic steel producers by keeping current tariffs on hot-rolled steel imports from Brazil, Russia and Japan in place because they protect American steel producers from countries who have a history of unfair trade practices.

 

Steel Tariffs

In July of 2007, Senator Pryor issued a press statement noting his recent testimony before the ITC on behalf of Arkansas' steel industry. He asked them to continue the import tariffs on hot-rolled steel from certain countries and stated that US steel manufacturers should not be forced to compete with companies who have subsidized prices.

 

Export Promotion Act

In March of 2012, Senator Pryor issued a press statement noting the Export Promotion Act that he was introducing into the Senate. The legislation would authorize the Commerce Department to seek input from U.S. companies on how to improve export programs, identify opportunities for increased exports and re-assign trade personnel accordingly. It would also require ambassadors to create a plan for increasing US exports to the region.

 

Voting Record

Oman Free Trade Agreement

In June of 2006, the Senate passed the Oman Free Trade Agreement 60-34. The agreement conferred free trade status with the country of Oman in the middle-east. Mark Pryor voted in favor of the Oman Free Trade Agreement.

Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)

In July of 2005, the Central American Free Trade Agreement was passed by the Senate 55-45. The agreement opened free trade agreements with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mark Pryor voted in favor of CAFTA.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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