A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Secure Trade Act imposes a 10 percent ad valorem duty on all goods imported into the United States. It specifically targets trade with the People's Republic of China by revising duty rates and establishing minimum thresholds. For certain articles, duty rates may be increased to 100 percent ad valorem. The bill also establishes tariff-rate quotas for goods imported exclusively from China and grants the President authority to prohibit specific imports. Finally, it expands the definition of covered transactions for review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +6
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill grants the President broad authority to set duty rates, establish quotas, and prohibit specific imports.
- Scored +5
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?
The bill imposes a 10 percent ad valorem duty on all imported goods, which increases costs for companies relying on international supply chains.
- Scored +3
Would union members be better off under this?
Higher duties on imports may provide more protection for domestic labor and manufacturing jobs.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -5
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill imposes significant new duties and potential import prohibitions on trade with the People's Republic of China.
- Scored -3
Is this likely to slow the rise in prices?
The imposition of new duties and annual inflation adjustments on imported goods may drive up consumer prices.
- Scored -3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
New import duties may lead to higher prices for essential consumer goods, disproportionately affecting low-income budgets.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Presidential Flexibility for Economic Security: The President has the authority to reduce the 10 percent duty for specific economic sectors if it serves the national interest or national security (Section 101(c)(1)).
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Protection Against High-Rate Articles: For certain articles, the law increases duty rates to a minimum of 100 percent ad valorem to address specific trade needs (Section 201(b)(1)(B)).
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Counteracting Trade Dependency: The President is authorized to increase duty rates higher than the standard levels to counteract the United States' dependence on imports from the People's Republic of China (Section 201(g)(1)).
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National Security and Human Rights Protections: The President has the authority to prohibit imports that pose a threat to national security or are produced in a manner that violates human rights (Section 201(h)(2)).
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Increased Oversight of Foreign Investments: The bill expands the definition of covered transactions to include investments by foreign persons involving the purchase or lease of real estate and the establishment of U.S. businesses (Section 204(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Costs on All Imports: A 10 percent ad valorem duty will be imposed on any good imported into the United States (Section 101(a)).
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Higher Duties on Non-Strategic Goods from China: For goods not specified in section 203, any duty rate currently less than 35 percent ad valorem will be increased to 35 percent (Section 201(a)(2)(B)).
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Significant Duty Increases for Specific Articles: For articles specified in section 203, duty rates less than 100 percent ad valorem will be increased to 100 percent (Section 201(b)(1)(B)).
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Increased Costs via Inflation Adjustments: Specific and compound rates of duty will be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (Section 201(c)).
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Higher Valuation Standards for Chinese Merchandise: Merchandise from the People's Republic of China will be appraised based on the United States value rather than other standards (Section 202(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill grants the President broad authority to set duty rates, establish quotas, and prohibit specific imports.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill increases oversight of foreign investments in U.S. businesses and real estate to protect national security. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill imposes significant new duties and potential import prohibitions on trade with the People's Republic of China.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — The bill imposes a 10 percent ad valorem duty on all imported goods, which increases costs for companies relying on international supply chains. Is this likely to create jobs? — By raising duties on imports, the bill may provide a competitive advantage to domestic manufacturers. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — The imposition of new duties and annual inflation adjustments on imported goods may drive up consumer prices. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small businesses that rely on imported components or goods will face higher costs under the new duty requirements. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased trade barriers and duties could potentially slow overall economic activity due to higher input costs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill allows the President to prohibit imports produced in a manner that violates human rights.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — Higher duties on imports may provide more protection for domestic labor and manufacturing jobs. Would business owners be better off under this? — Domestic business owners may benefit from reduced competition from foreign imports due to the higher duties. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — If the protected sectors include agriculture or manufacturing prevalent in rural areas, these residents may see increased job security. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — New import duties may lead to higher prices for essential consumer goods, disproportionately affecting low-income budgets. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased costs on imported goods may reduce the purchasing power of middle-income families. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill may increase the cost of luxury imported goods, though this impact is less significant for this group.
- 8/15/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
W. SteubeRepublican · Florida