Fair Trade in MTBE Act of 1998
Latest action (30 Jul 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 2391, the Fair Trade in MTBE Act of 1998, would require the Secretary of Commerce (acting as the "administering authority" under the Tariff Act of 1930) to begin a formal countervailing duty investigation into methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive, imported into the United States from Saudi Arabia. The investigation would have to start within 30 days of the bill becoming law and would examine whether Saudi Arabian government subsidies—specifically a cited 30 percent discount on feedstock provided to MTBE producers—justify imposing a countervailing duty on those imports under existing trade law.
The bill would primarily affect U.S. producers of MTBE, ETBE, and ethanol, who Congress found had lost market share and investment due to a rise in subsidized Saudi MTBE exports following the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. It would also affect Saudi Arabian MTBE exporters and importers of that product, who could face new duties if the investigation found subsidization and resulting harm to domestic industry. The bill notes that Saudi Arabia, not being a WTO member, is not bound by the Uruguay Round's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
The bill was introduced by Senator Tom Daschle on July 30, 1998, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of the 105th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Fair Trade in MTBE Act of 1998 - Directs the administering authority (Secretary of Commerce, or any other officer of the United States to whom the responsibility for carrying out the duties of the administering authority are transferred by law) to initiate a countervailing duty investigation to determine if the necessary elements exist for the imposition of a countervailing duty with respect to the importation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from Saudi Arabia.
Common questions
- What does S. 2391 do?
- S. 2391, the Fair Trade in MTBE Act of 1998, would require the Secretary of Commerce (acting as the "administering authority" under the Tariff Act of 1930) to begin a formal countervailing duty investigation into methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive, imported into the United States from Saudi Arabia. The investigation would have to start within 30 days of the bill becoming law and would examine whether Saudi Arabian government subsidies—specifically a cited 30 percent discount on feedstock provided to MTBE producers—justify imposing a countervailing duty on those imports under existing trade law. The bill would primarily affect U.S. producers of MTBE, ETBE, and ethanol, who Congress found had lost market share and investment due to a rise in subsidized Saudi MTBE exports following the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. It would also affect Saudi Arabian MTBE exporters and importers of that product, who could face new duties if the investigation found subsidization and resulting harm to domestic industry. The bill notes that Saudi Arabia, not being a WTO member, is not bound by the Uruguay Round's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. The bill was introduced by Senator Tom Daschle on July 30, 1998, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of the 105th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
- Has S. 2391 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 1998, S. 2391 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2391?
- S. 2391 was sponsored by Sen. Thomas “Tom” Daschle [D-SD, 1987-2004] (Democrat-SD), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2391?
- Introduced (30 Jul 1998).
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