As May brings about both National Small Business Week and World Trade Month, we wanted to alert you to activity in the U.S. Congress on important trade legislation that could benefit small businesses that export online. Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate recently began debate on two bipartisan trade bills that would modernize the United States trade agenda and open up new opportunities for U.S. small businesses in the global marketplace. The Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill establishes objectives for US trade negotiators as they work to deliver strong, high-standard trade agreements that will boost American exports and create new economic opportunities for American small businesses and entrepreneurs. In particular, Section 9 of the TPA directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to ensure the interests of small businesses are considered in any trade negotiation process.
A Customs Reauthorization bill is also progressing through the Congress. This bill would streamline customs processes and bring customs relief to small businesses selling internationally. An amendment introduced by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and adopted by the Finance Committee would instruct the USTR to use trade negotiations to encourage the United States’ trading partners to increase their de minimis thresholds. Low de minimis thresholds can make it difficult for small and medium sized businesses to comply with customs restrictions and regulations. This amendment seeks to increase de minimis thresholds across the globe and ease the burdens faced by small businesses looking to trade internationally.
eBay supports these bills to modernize trade policy. Last month we launched a grassroots effort on eBay Main Street highlighting the need for improvements to trade rules to benefit small businesses. Within only a few weeks, the eBay community sent over 50,000 emails and tweets to their Members of Congress. The emails sent to Capitol Hill urged Members of Congress to, “champion trade policies that ensure small businesses can grow and thrive through the global marketplace” and support the modernization of U.S. trade policy.
Members of Congress heard from the eBay Community and included pro-small business provisions in both the TPA and the Customs Reauthorization. This is a huge victory for small business traders!
Visit our news section for updates on the trade legislation moving through the U.S. House and Senate. To raise your voice in support of small business trade, please visit our Action Center.