Super 301 and the Trade Deficit

Abstract

The thesis considers the issues associated with one of the amendments of section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 - the so-called Super 301. It was included in the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. This measure was passed to solve problems with the U.S. bilateral trade deficits, which were considered to be a consequence of trade barriers to U.S. exports in foreign countries Under Super 301 the United States presses foreign countries to eliminate unfair trade practices under threat of unilateral retaliation. The paper explores the history of Super 301, the cases of its application, the extent to which it achieved its purpose, and its implications for the international multilateral trade agreements. The paper concludes that the Super 301 has failed to eliminate the problem of the U.S. bilateral trade deficit with Japan, and has inspired resentment on the part of U.S. trading partners to negotiate under threat of punishment.