Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil.

Summary

This joint resolution aims to terminate the national emergency declared on July 30, 2025, by the President in Executive Order 14323, which imposed duties on articles imported from Brazil. The resolution cites section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622) as the basis for this termination. It was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Meeks and several co-sponsors and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The resolution seeks to reverse the trade restrictions put in place due to the declared national emergency. By terminating the emergency, the duties on Brazilian imports would be lifted.

This action reflects a change in policy regarding trade relations with Brazil, potentially signaling a move towards normalized trade conditions.

Expected Effects

The immediate effect of this resolution, if passed, would be the removal of duties on articles imported from Brazil. This would likely lead to changes in the prices of goods traded between the two countries.

Businesses importing from Brazil would likely see reduced costs, while domestic industries competing with Brazilian imports might face increased competition. The overall impact on the US economy would depend on the specific industries and trade volumes affected.

Furthermore, this action could signal a shift in the broader diplomatic and economic relationship between the United States and Brazil.

Potential Benefits

  • Reduced costs for American businesses importing goods from Brazil.
  • Potentially lower prices for consumers on products sourced from Brazil.
  • Improved trade relations with Brazil, fostering goodwill and cooperation.
  • A potential decrease in retaliatory tariffs or trade barriers from Brazil.
  • Alignment with principles of free trade and open markets.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Increased competition for domestic industries that compete with Brazilian imports.
  • Potential job losses in those domestic industries if they cannot compete effectively.
  • Possible negative impact on government revenue if the duties were a significant source of income.
  • Risk of setting a precedent for easily terminating national emergencies related to trade, potentially undermining future trade negotiations.
  • Dependence on Brazilian imports may increase.

Constitutional Alignment

The resolution cites the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), indicating that Congress is acting within the legal framework established for declaring and terminating national emergencies. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations.

The termination of a national emergency declared by the President is subject to Congressional oversight, reflecting the system of checks and balances. This action aligns with the principle that Congress has the power to legislate on matters of trade and foreign policy.

However, the constitutionality of the original declaration of a national emergency related to trade with Brazil is a separate question, and this resolution does not address that issue directly.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).