Commission on United States-Pacific Trade and Investment Policy

This executive order creates a 15-member private-sector commission to recommend strategies for opening Japan, China, and other Asian-Pacific markets to U.S. business. The commission must submit a report by February 1, 1996, identifying trade barriers and recommending steps to increase U.S. market access while maximizing high-wage domestic jobs. The commission dissolves 30 days after submitting its final report.

Federal Register Open PDF 60 FR 33095

Impact dates

Mar 2, 1996
Commission termination (30 days after submitting final report)
Feb 1, 1996
Commission report to President on opening Asian-Pacific markets

Key directives

Establish 15-member Commission on United States-Pacific Trade and Investment Policy from private sector
Report to President by February 1, 1996 on opening Japan, China, and other Asian-Pacific markets
Identify trade and investment impediments and recommend reductions
Recommend measures to strengthen monitoring programs for progress toward market access
Recommend realistic measurements of trade and investment activity considering intracompany patterns
Require three-fifths vote for recommendations; include dissenting views upon request
Department of Commerce to provide administrative support subject to appropriations
USTR to perform FACA functions except congressional reporting
Commission terminates 30 days after final report

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Commission establishment
Presidential appointment of 15 members and designation of Chair/Vice Chair

Near term (90d)

Commission formation and organizational meetings
Information gathering from executive agencies

Long term

Final report due February 1, 1996
Commission termination 30 days after report submission (approximately March 2, 1996)

Risks & tensions

Advisory only: commission lacks enforcement authority; recommendations may be ignored
Three-fifths voting threshold could produce watered-down or stalled consensus
Intracompany trade measurement requirement suggests awareness that headline trade deficits may mislead
Vague 'turn of the century' goal lacks binding commitment mechanism
Dependent on voluntary agency cooperation 'to extent permitted by law' and appropriations availability