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H.R. 2644 105th Congress House

United States-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act

Official title: To provide to beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act benefits equivalent to those provided under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Introduced: October 9, 1997 See on congress.gov
Foreign Trade and International Finance AccountingAgriculture and FoodAgriculture in foreign tradeAlcoholic beverages
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American investmentsArts, Culture, ReligionBusiness income taxCanadaCaribbean areaClothing industryCommerceConferencesCongressCongressional reporting requirementsCustoms administrationCustoms unionsDismissal wageEconomic developmentEconomic impact statementsEconomics and Public FinanceEmployee rightsExport subsidiesFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)Foreign investmentsFree enterpriseFree tradeGovernment Operations and PoliticsHandicraftImport quotasIncome taxIntellectual propertyInternal revenue lawInternational AffairsInternational agenciesJudicial opinionsLabor and EmploymentLatin AmericaLawLegislationMexicoNontariff trade barriersNorth AmericaService industriesSugarSugar tradeTariffTariff preferencesTax administrationTax courtsTaxationTextile fabricsTextile industryTrade agreementsTrade negotiations
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 4, 1997
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 182 - 234 (Roll no. 570).
Nov 4, 1997
Considered as unfinished business.
Nov 4, 1997
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Nov 4, 1997
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Nov 4, 1997
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9873-9881, H9965-9966)
Nov 4, 1997
Mr. Crane moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Oct 31, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 211.
Oct 31, 1997
Reported by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-365.
Oct 9, 1997
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Oct 9, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 9, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Oct 9, 1997
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Nov 4, 1997 House · vote #570 Suspend the rules and pass Failed 182–234 See who voted →
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 Latest action November 4, 1997

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 182 - 234 (Roll no. 570).

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

United States-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) to prescribe the treatment of specified textile and apparel articles with respect to CBERA beneficiary (partnership) countries during a period of transition to application of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or a free trade agreement comparable to NAFTA.

Revises requirements for the President's: (1) determination of preferential treatment; and (2) report to the Congress regarding specified actions of partnership countries.

Directs the President to monitor the effect of NAFTA on sugar imports from partnership countries.

Cites circumstances under which duty-free treatment is applicable to liqueurs and spirituous beverages produced from rum in the territory of Canada.

Instructs the President to provide for a meeting with the trade ministers of the partnership countries and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in order to initiate negotiations for partnership countries to accede to the NAFTA, or to enter into mutually advantageous trade agreements with the United States containing provisions comparable to NAFTA.

Instructs the USTR to: (1) submit to the President and to certain congressional committees an assessment of each partnership country's ability to undertake NAFTA obligations based upon its economic development efforts and market oriented reforms; and (2) submit a separate report to congressional committees on the economic impact of a new trade relationship on partnership countries if one or more such countries accede to NAFTA, or the United States negotiates a comparable free trade agreement with them.

Declares that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied with respect to severance pay without regard to the result reached in the case of Schmidt Baking Company, Inc. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1278 United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2644: United States-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2644/
MLA
"H.R. 2644: United States-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2644/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2644, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2644/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2644: United States-Caribbean Trade Partnership Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2644/)
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