S.1230 - Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields Act of 2025; SAFETY Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1230, the SAFETY Act of 2025, aims to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to protect the use of common names for agricultural products in foreign markets. The bill defines "common name" and provides examples of food products, wines, and beers that would be considered as such. It mandates the Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Trade Representative to negotiate agreements that secure the right of U.S. producers to use these common names internationally.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased efforts to protect American agricultural exports by ensuring that common names are not restricted in foreign markets. This could involve negotiations with other countries to establish agreements and memoranda of understanding. Regular briefings to relevant congressional committees will also be required to monitor progress.
Potential Benefits
- Protects American Exports: Ensures U.S. agricultural producers can continue using common names for their products in foreign markets.
- Supports Agricultural Economy: Helps maintain the competitiveness of American agricultural products in the global market.
- Clarifies Definitions: Provides a clear definition of "common name" to avoid ambiguity in trade negotiations.
- Promotes Trade Negotiations: Mandates negotiations to secure the use of common names, potentially leading to more favorable trade agreements.
- Enhances Transparency: Requires regular briefings to Congress, increasing accountability and oversight.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Trade Disputes: Aggressive negotiations could lead to disputes with countries that have different interpretations of common names.
- Enforcement Challenges: Ensuring foreign compliance with agreements on common names could be difficult to enforce.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses narrowly on common names and may not address other trade barriers.
- Bureaucratic Burden: The negotiation and briefing requirements could create additional administrative workload for government agencies.
- Risk of Retaliation: Other countries may impose restrictions on U.S. products in response to U.S. efforts to protect common names.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. By seeking to protect American agricultural exports through trade negotiations, the bill falls within the scope of this constitutional authority. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any other constitutional provisions or individual rights.
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).