美眾院歲委會 42：0通過 〈台美貿易倡議「首批協定實施法（案）」 〉

【雙魚之論】英文拷到 G / D 找中文翻譯
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan stated that the Initiative is an executive agreement, which needs no deliberation or approval of the Legislative Yuan. 
If that is true, why the US House of Representatives, and the Senate in the near future, have to approve the Initiative like a law or a treaty.
According to the text of H.R. 4004, the bill approved can be cited as “United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act” in the Section 1 and 2 of the Bill. Yet, in Section 5, it becomes agreement, which needs the role of the Congress.
Although the US Congress has not role in administrative agreement of the Executive branch, the Congress does have the power “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;” under the Article1 Section 8(3) of the U.S. Constitution. 
Therefore, the Section 2(7) stipulates: “Article I, section 8, clause 3 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress authority over international trade. The President lacks the authority to enter into binding trade agreements absent approval from Congress.”
Section 2(6) “On August 17, 2022, the United States and Taiwan announced the negotiating mandate for formal trade negotiations under the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and agreed to seek high-standard commitments.”
Both give us hints that the Congress pack the details of the Initiative under the name and form of agreements and under the name of the Implementation Act, the Congress thus could have the power under the mandate of the US Constitution to deliberate and to approve the Initiative.
What brilliant political and legal games! However, should the Legislative Yuan have to deliberate on the Initiative here in Taiwan?

台灣行政院表示該倡議是一項行政協議，不需要經過台灣的立法院審議或批准。如果這是真的，為什麼美國眾議院，以及不久的將來的參議院，要像法律或條約一樣批准該倡議呢？
根據H.R. 4004的文本，在該法案的第1和第2節中，已經通過的法案可以引用為「21世紀美台貿易第一協議實施法」。然而，在第5節中，它變成了一項需要國會參與的協議。
雖然美國國會在行政機關的行政協議中沒有角色，但根據美國憲法第1條第8(3)款，國會擁有「規定與外國國家、各州之間以及與印第安部落之間的商業」的權力。因此，第2(7)節規定：「美國憲法第一條第8款第3項「表示國會有權「管理與外國、州與州間，以及對印第安部落的貿易」；「在經過國會批准之前，總統無權進行具有約束力的貿易協議。」第2(6)節中指出「2022年8月17日，美國和台灣宣布了在「21世紀美台貿易倡議」下進行正式貿易談判的談判授權，並同意尋求高標準承諾。」
這些都暗示了在美國憲法的授權下，國會將倡議的細節打包成協議的名義和形式，並在「實施法」的名義下，國會擁有審議和批准倡議的權力。
多麼精彩的政治和法律遊戲。但是，在台灣，立法院是否應該對這個倡議進行審議呢？

Ways and Means Passes Bipartisan Legislation Affirming Support for U.S.-Taiwan Trade Relationship & Reasserting Congress’ Constitutional Role in Trade    house.gov 20230613

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Committee on Ways and Means approved legislation today by a vote of 42-0 that formerly implements and confirms Congress’ support of a trade agreement – the “Initial Agreement” – negotiated by the Biden Administration and Taiwan. The United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 4004) also requires Congressional approval of any such future trade agreements with Taiwan, and ensures the Biden Administration works with Congress, including reporting and consultation requirements, to make sure the Administration does not ignore the constitutionally established role of Congress in international trade.

In his opening remarks during consideration of the bill, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) discussed how having Congress involved in trade negotiations has strong bipartisan support and will ensure agreements serve the interest of the American people:

“In addition to being required by the Constitution, a Congressional vote will make sure these trade agreements are in the best interest of American workers, families, farmers, and small businesses. Congress will only approve trade agreements that put American workers and families first and foremost.

“What’s particularly encouraging about this legislation is that it represents a bipartisan effort to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority. I am proud to join Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate in leading this effort. When it comes to trade, we are speaking with one voice that this Administration, or any future Administration for that matter, must not circumvent Congress or the Constitution, and that the President does not have the authority to bind the United States in trade agreements without congressional involvement and approval.”

Key Facts on the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 4004):

• Provides for congressional approval of the first trade agreement arising from the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade; and
• Imposes new congressional consultation and transparency requirements on the Administration with respect to the negotiation of any subsequent agreements arising under the initiative, and requires such agreements be subject to Congressional approval.

 

台美貿易倡議首批協定 美眾院歲委會 42：0通過    自由 20230615

美國聯邦眾議院歲計委員會十三日經過五十分鐘討論，以四十二票贊成、○票反對，無異議通過「美台廿一世紀貿易倡議首批協定實施法」，展現跨黨派對台灣的超強支持力道。法案共同提案人、委員會主席史密斯表示，法案通過確認美國國會對美台夥伴關係的堅定支持。

跨黨派無異議通過 展現挺台力道

該法案由參院財委會主席、民主黨籍議員魏登和眾院歲計委員會主席、共和黨籍議員史密斯等人共同提出。根據中央社和美國之音報導，該法案旨在提供國會對美台「廿一世紀貿易倡議」月初達成的首批協定，予以批准和實施的授權。法案規定，首批協定在美國總統向國會提出確定台灣已採取履行協定所需措施的必要認證後卅天生效；法案也要求行政部門，未來與台灣達成任何進一步協定，須符合公開透明原則，並諮詢國會意見。該法案接下來將送交參議院審議，待兩院表決通過一致文本後，送交總統簽署。

要行政部門 與台協定須諮詢國會

史密斯的聲明表達對美台加強經濟關係的支持，也強調國會參與相關談判的重要性。他指出，拜登政府簽署此協定時，排除憲法賦予國會參與貿易談判過程的權限，因此糾正此錯誤，同時也藉由國會的批准，確認對美台夥伴關係的堅定支持，「這項法案不僅對我國與台灣貿易關係具有重要性，也關係到美國貿易磋商和國會在其中所扮演角色的完整性」。

美國之音說，目前不清楚拜登政府對此案的態度。去年拜登政府官員曾說，因為此倡議並未包括市場准入及關稅減讓，因此協定不需要國會批准。