Increasing American Jobs Through Greater United States Exports to Africa and Latin America Act of 2025

Bill Number: S. 816
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text: CR S1461-1462)
Last Updated: 2025-07-22T13:03:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to boost U.S. jobs by promoting increased exports of U.S. goods and services to Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. It establishes a structured approach to enhance public and private investment, trade, and development in these regions, targeting a 200% increase in U.S. exports (in real dollar terms) over 10 years.

Key Provisions

Comprehensive Strategy Development: The President must create and submit a detailed strategy to Congress within 200 days of enactment. This strategy focuses on investment, trade, and development to drive export growth. It requires consultations with Congress, federal agencies (e.g., Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee members), multilateral development banks (international financial institutions funded by multiple countries), the private sector (including businesses, NGOs, and diaspora groups from Africa and Latin America/Caribbean), and other export-related entities. A progress report is due 3 years after enactment.
Dedicated Coordinators: The Secretary of Commerce must appoint two senior officials: a Special Africa Export Strategy Coordinator and a Special Latin America and the Caribbean Export Strategy Coordinator. These roles oversee strategy implementation and coordinate with key agencies, such as the U.S. Trade Representative, State Department, Department of Agriculture, Export-Import Bank, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and development agencies. Coordinators must also assess how U.S. exports affect importing countries' economies, supply chains, and job opportunities to promote stable growth.
Trade Missions: Congress expresses a strong recommendation (non-binding "sense of Congress") that the Secretary of Commerce and other high-level officials lead joint trade missions to Africa and Latin America/Caribbean within one year to promote U.S. exports.
Training Program: The President must develop a plan to standardize training for U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service officers (part of the Commerce Department focused on export promotion), State Department economic officers, and USAID economic officers. Training covers programs from the Export-Import Bank (provides financing for U.S. exports), U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (supports development projects), Small Business Administration (aids small businesses), and U.S. Trade and Development Agency (helps with trade feasibility studies). All relevant overseas officers must complete this training within one year.
Definitions: The bill defines key terms, such as "appropriate congressional committees" (specific Senate and House panels on banking, commerce, finance, and foreign relations), "development agencies" (U.S. entities like State Department, USAID, and multilateral banks), and others to clarify scope.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new requirements without directly amending prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (which established export promotion bodies) by mandating a targeted export strategy, new coordinator positions, and standardized training. No repeals or explicit modifications to current statutes are specified, but it enhances coordination among existing agencies to prioritize Africa and Latin America/Caribbean.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases workload and coordination demands on the Departments of Commerce, State, Agriculture, Treasury, and agencies like USAID and the Export-Import Bank. It may lead to more resources for export promotion and training, potentially streamlining inter-agency efforts but requiring new administrative roles.
Citizens: U.S. businesses, especially exporters and small firms, could benefit from expanded market access, job creation in export-related sectors, and easier financing. Workers in manufacturing, agriculture, and services may see indirect job growth from higher exports.
International Relations: Strengthens U.S. economic ties with Africa and Latin America/Caribbean, potentially countering influence from competitors (e.g., China). It promotes stable supply chains and mutual economic benefits, which could improve diplomatic relations and reduce trade disruptions, though it emphasizes U.S. export gains.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Government: Executive branch agencies (e.g., Commerce, State, USAID) for implementation; Congress for oversight and consultations.
Private Sector: U.S. businesses, exporters, and small enterprises seeking new markets; NGOs and diaspora groups from target regions for input.
International Entities: Multilateral development banks (e.g., World Bank affiliates, African Development Foundation); governments and economies in Africa and Latin America/Caribbean as import markets and partners.
U.S. Citizens: Exporters, workers, and consumers indirectly through job creation and economic growth.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The bill relies on the President's executive authority for strategy development and consultations, with no new funding authorized (implementation may depend on existing budgets). Definitions ensure clarity but could invite disputes over "development agencies" scope. The non-binding trade missions avoid enforceability issues.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause powers (regulating foreign trade) and foreign affairs authority, while requiring congressional notifications to maintain checks and balances.
Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for economic diplomacy. It could politically position the U.S. as a preferred trade partner in strategic regions, but success depends on administration commitment and global economic conditions; failure to meet the 200% export goal might lead to accountability debates in Congress.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Cosponsors (4)

Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

Recent Actions

2025-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text: CR S1461-1462)
2025-03-03: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Increasing American Jobs Through Greater United States Exports to Africa and Latin America Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (8 pages)