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The Office of the United States Trade Representative

USTR Zoellick Thanks Congress For Repealing the 1916 Act
11/19/2004


WASHINGTON - U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick thanked Congress for repealing Section 801 of the Revenue Act of 1916 ("the 1916 Act") within the larger Miscellaneous Tariff Bill that was approved today.

The 1916 Act is a little-used provision for addressing underpriced foreign products. Its repeal was necessary to bring the United States into compliance by a World Trade Organization ruling. This will not affect our ability to enforce our trade remedy laws.

"I want to thank Congress for repealing the 1916 Act so that the United States can meet its international trade obligations. In particular, I want to thank House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Ways and Means Ranking Member Charlie Rangel and Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus, Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Patrick Leahy for their leadership and perseverance, as well as House and Senate leaders from both sides of the aisle," Zoellick said. "We recognize the difficulty in making changes in this area. By bringing the United States into compliance with our international obligations, the fundamental concerns that prompted some of our trading partners to bring this action have been addressed."