S. 1886 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, May 22, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryTargets tariff evasion by nonmarket countries
Ever wondered how a company might try to dodge tariffs on imports. This bill lets the U.S. Trade Representative investigate whether businesses controlled by nonmarket economy countries (like China) are setting up operations in other countries to avoid tariffs that were originally placed on them. If the investigation finds they're doing this, the Trade Representative can impose tariffs on goods connected to those companies, similar to the original tariffs they were trying to escape.
How it affects you
This primarily affects businesses and industries involved in international trade. Companies that buy or sell goods connected to nonmarket economy countries may see new tariffs applied to their imports. The bill doesn't directly change daily life for most people, though it could indirectly affect prices if companies pass tariff costs to consumers.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, May 22, 2025)
Axing Nonmarket Tariff Evasion Act or the ANTE Act
This bill authorizes the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate and take remedial action against covered entities that evade or attempt to evade duties (i.e., tariffs) that were imposed on nonmarket economy countries (e.g., China) by investing in other countries.
Under the bill, a covered entity (e.g., business) (1) is owned, controlled, subject to the jurisdiction or direction of, or operated by a nonmarket economy country; and (2) includes an entity for which, on any date during the most recent 12-month period, at least 25% of the equity interests in such entity were held directly or indirectly by one or more entities organized under the laws of a nonmarket economy country.
Currently, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the USTR to impose tariffs in response to actions by foreign countries that violate U.S. rights under international trade agreements or that burden or restrict U.S. commerce in unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory ways. In 2018, for example, the USTR used Section 301 to impose tariffs on many imports from China.
This bill allows the USTR to investigate whether a covered entity is establishing or has established investments (e.g., manufacturing operations) in another country that is not subject to Section 301 tariffs in order to evade those tariffs. Upon an affirmative determination, the USTR may impose certain remedial measures, such as imposing a tariff equivalent to the original tariff on goods associated with the nonmarket economy country.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1886
A BILL
ANTE Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) · Introduced May 22, 2025 · Foreign Trade and International Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 22, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.”