To Delegate Authority for the Administration of the Tariff-Rate Quotas on Sugar-Containing Products and Other Agricultural Products to the United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture

This proclamation delegates presidential authority under section 404(a) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act to administer tariff-rate quotas on cotton, dairy products, peanuts, peanut butter, peanut paste, sugar, and sugar-containing products. The United States Trade Representative receives authority to administer these quotas, while the Secretary of Agriculture receives authority to issue import licenses, in consultation with USTR. The proclamation supersedes inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and executive orders.

Federal Register Open PDF 64 FR 55611

Key directives

Delegate section 404(a) authority to USTR to administer tariff-rate quotas on cotton, dairy, peanuts, peanut butter/paste, sugar, and sugar-containing products
Delegate section 404(a) authority to Secretary of Agriculture to issue import licenses for these products within applicable quotas
Secretary of Agriculture must exercise licensing authority in consultation with USTR
Supersede inconsistent provisions of previous proclamations and executive orders

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Delegation of authority takes effect upon signing
USTR and Secretary of Agriculture assume respective roles for quota administration and licensing

Near term (90d)

USTR may promulgate regulations to administer tariff-rate quotas
Secretary of Agriculture may develop licensing procedures in consultation with USTR

Long term

Ongoing administration of tariff-rate quotas for covered agricultural products
Potential trade policy adjustments affecting U.S. agricultural markets

Risks & tensions

Supersession clause may create uncertainty about which prior provisions remain valid
Consultation requirement between Secretary of Agriculture and USTR could slow licensing decisions
Potential interagency friction over quota administration boundaries