ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Notification to the Congress of Trade Negotiation

This memorandum authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to notify Congress of the President's intention to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with the five member countries of the Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) under the Trade Act of 2002. It also directs publication of the memorandum in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 64515

Key directives

  • Notify Congress pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 3804(a)(1) of intention to enter into FTA negotiations with SACU
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Notification to Congress of intent to enter trade negotiations
  • Federal Register publication

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Potential Free Trade Agreement negotiations with SACU countries

Risks & tensions

  • Negotiations with SACU complicated by inclusion of South Africa, which had complex trade and political relationship with U.S. at time
  • Fast-track authority under Trade Act of 2002 required congressional notification but did not guarantee ratification
Presidential Memorandum: Notification to the Congress of Trade Negotiation · Executive Orders