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ECON Act

USA117th CongressS-4632| Senate 
| Updated: 7/27/2022
James E. Risch

James E. Risch

Republican Senator

Idaho

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Economic and Commercial Opportunities and Networks Act of 2022 or the ECON Act This bill addresses economic issues in foreign relations and intellectual property (IP) infringement. The bill expands the criminal offense of trade secrets theft to include the unauthorized modifying or developing of a product in a way that would not be possible without another party's trade secret. This offense shall apply to non-U.S. conduct if the offender attempts to import the product into the United States. Furthermore, the President may impose sanctions against a foreign person (individual or entity) that has committed a significant theft of IP belonging to a U.S. person. The President must also establish or designate a multiagency committee to (1) review petitions alleging such acts of IP theft, and (2) recommend whether to impose sanctions for the alleged theft. The bill also prohibits foreign state-owned entities in international commerce from engaging in predatory pricing, defined in the bill as setting prices for a good below the average variable cost in a manner that may foreseeably harm competition. An injured party may sue in federal court. In deciding such cases, the court may consider the economic support and government subsidies provided by the entity's foreign state owner. Furthermore, the Department of State must establish a pilot program to create economic defense response teams to provide targeted support for countries facing an urgent or specific coercive economic threat from a U.S. adversary. The State Department must establish another pilot program to assist developing partner countries with identifying trade barriers and facilitating trade.
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Timeline
Jul 27, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Jul 27, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • July 27, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 27, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 117-1824: A bill to provide for the development and implementation of economic defense response teams.

ECON Act

USA117th CongressS-4632| Senate 
| Updated: 7/27/2022
Economic and Commercial Opportunities and Networks Act of 2022 or the ECON Act This bill addresses economic issues in foreign relations and intellectual property (IP) infringement. The bill expands the criminal offense of trade secrets theft to include the unauthorized modifying or developing of a product in a way that would not be possible without another party's trade secret. This offense shall apply to non-U.S. conduct if the offender attempts to import the product into the United States. Furthermore, the President may impose sanctions against a foreign person (individual or entity) that has committed a significant theft of IP belonging to a U.S. person. The President must also establish or designate a multiagency committee to (1) review petitions alleging such acts of IP theft, and (2) recommend whether to impose sanctions for the alleged theft. The bill also prohibits foreign state-owned entities in international commerce from engaging in predatory pricing, defined in the bill as setting prices for a good below the average variable cost in a manner that may foreseeably harm competition. An injured party may sue in federal court. In deciding such cases, the court may consider the economic support and government subsidies provided by the entity's foreign state owner. Furthermore, the Department of State must establish a pilot program to create economic defense response teams to provide targeted support for countries facing an urgent or specific coercive economic threat from a U.S. adversary. The State Department must establish another pilot program to assist developing partner countries with identifying trade barriers and facilitating trade.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 27, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Jul 27, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • July 27, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 27, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
James E. Risch

James E. Risch

Republican Senator

Idaho

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 117-1824: A bill to provide for the development and implementation of economic defense response teams.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted