Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Press Release

U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded committee passage of the Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act (S.2201), their bipartisan legislation to improve the effectiveness of U.S. assistance for expanded trade in developing countries.

"We need to reform U.S. foreign assistance to promote economic growth that can improve living standards and make societies more self-sufficient and more resilient to destabilizing forces," Senator Corker said. "Through better coordination and input from the private sector, this legislation will allow us to deliver trade capacity assistance in a far more focused and strategic manner that will expand markets for American businesses by helping the developing world eliminate barriers to trade and investment."

"Bureaucratic inefficiencies and border delays in developing countries are a drag on economic growth and development. Those borders are also notorious centers for corruption. This bill will promote the kind of efficient border proceedings that are essential to fighting corruption and promoting good governance," Senator Cardin said. "The legislation builds on the important role USAID continues to play in trade capacity building as part of a whole of government approach, assuring that our efforts are effectively and efficiently coordinated. Small and medium businesses and humanitarian organizations in developing countries will be among those who benefit the most from streamlined, transparent and efficient borders."

Many countries face infrastructure and institutional limitations that limit their ability to trade with the U.S. and the world. The Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act will improve coordination and accountability for existing U.S. trade capacity assistance to better identify and eliminate existing constraints for emerging economies. The legislation also will establish a five-year pilot program to assist qualifying developing countries with implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

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