As part of a recent video series, Paul Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Global Trade Management, discusses key point regarding the “Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015.”

Back in December 9, 2015 Congress reached a final agreement on H.R. 644, the “Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015.” The bipartisan, bicameral trade legislation was created to authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection to put in place effective tools to: (a) strengthen trade enforcement at the border; and, (b) facilitate the efficient movement of legitimate trade and travel. The Bill went to the President for signature, was signed, and a statement was released by The White House Press Secretary on February 24, 2016.

Although the bill focuses on both trade facilitation and trade enforcement, Fitzpatrick describes the nature of the bill as being more focused on trade enforcement rather than trade facilitation.

“The word enforce or enforcement is used 265 times in the bill,” says Fitzpatrick. “The word facilitate or facilitation is used 87. So, kind of tells you what people are looking at.”

View this video to hear a portion of his presentation. If you would like more details on the “Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015,” please click here for a blog post written at the time the legislation was passed. In addition, if you would like the full video presentation or more details on other trade agreements, please email us at contact_us@miq.com.