§ 2486. — Trade relations with North American countries.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 19USC2486]
TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
CHAPTER 12--TRADE ACT OF 1974
SUBCHAPTER VI--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 2486. Trade relations with North American countries
(a) Negotiations for free trade area with Canada
It is the sense of the Congress that the United States should enter
into a trade agreement with Canada which will guarantee continued
stability to the economies of the United States and Canada. In order to
promote such economic stability, the President may initiate negotiations
for a trade agreement with Canada to establish a free trade area
covering the United States and Canada. Nothing in this section shall be
construed as prior approval of any legislation which may be necessary to
implement such a trade agreement.
(b) Regional study
The President shall study the desirability of entering into trade
agreements with countries in the northern portion of the western
hemisphere to promote the economic growth of the United States and such
countries and the mutual expansion of market opportunities and report to
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Finance of the Senate his findings and conclusions within 2
years after July 26, 1979. The study shall include an examination of
competitive opportunities and conditions of competition between such
countries and the United States in the agricultural, energy, and other
appropriate sectors.
(Pub. L. 93-618, title VI, Sec. 612, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2076; Pub.
L. 96-39, title XI, Sec. 1104(a), (b)(1), July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 310.)
Amendments
1979--Pub. L. 96-39 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a)
and added subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1979 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 96-39 effective July 26, 1979, see section 1114
of Pub. L. 96-39, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2581
of this title.
