Protecting American Streaming and Innovation Act

The "Protecting American Streaming and Innovation Act" mandates the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to initiate an investigation into Canada's Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This investigation will determine if Canada's digital trade practices, including "contribution" and "discoverability" obligations, are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden United States commerce, particularly affecting American audiovisual and audio streaming services. The bill's findings assert that these Canadian measures impose a revenue-based tax on U.S. companies while exempting domestic firms, appearing to contravene Canada's commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . Such policies are seen as creating discriminatory barriers and potentially setting a harmful global precedent for protectionist digital policies that target successful U.S. streaming companies. If the USTR makes an affirmative determination of discriminatory practices, it must publish this finding and consider appropriate actions, including the suspension of trade agreement benefits or the imposition of additional duties on Canadian goods. The USTR is required to consult with affected U.S. businesses and submit initial and quarterly reports on the investigation's progress and bilateral engagement. Should Canada fail to remedy identified discriminatory measures within 180 days of an affirmative determination, the USTR is directed to take retaliatory actions. These actions can be terminated if Canada satisfactorily addresses the issues. The bill also extends these provisions to other countries with free trade agreements that adopt similar discriminatory digital trade practices, aiming to protect U.S. economic interests globally.