U.S.-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement Act Summary

U.S.-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement Act Congressman Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) and Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) BILL SUMMARY The U.S.-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement Act aims to counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, which threatens the economic stability of America’s strongest ally in the Middle East. Over the past several years, a growing contingency of countries across the globe, primarily in Europe, have sought to isolate and delegitimize Israel through BDS for political purposes. This bill leverages ongoing trade negotiations to discourage prospective U.S. trade partners from engaging in economic discrimination against Israel, and establishes a clear U.S. policy of opposing BDS as detrimental to global trade and regional peace and stability.   Combats Efforts to Limit Commercial Relations with Israel through BDS  Instructs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to utilize free trade negotiations to discourage potential trade partners from participating in or promoting politically motivated acts of BDS against Israel, and to seek the elimination of boycotts and barriers to trade where they exist.  Establishes U.S. policy to oppose politically-motivated actions by states or international institutions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment, or sanctions.  Monitors BDS-related activities by requiring foreign companies traded on U.S. stock exchanges to disclose whether they have participated in, or have faced pressure to participate in, acts of economic discrimination against Israel.  Strengthens the Mutually Beneficial U.S.-Israel Economic Relationship   Encourages strengthening mutually beneficial U.S.-Israel economic cooperation and recognizes the tremendous strategic economic, and technological value of cooperation, including the benefit of cooperation with Israel to American companies.   Reaffirms the strategic importance of trade and commercial relations to the pursuit of sustainable peace and regional stability.  Prohibits American courts from recognizing or enforcing judgments made by a foreign court against American companies for the sole reason that such companies are conducting business in Israel, and requires the Administration to provide Congress with regular reports on any such judgments and steps being taken by the U.S. government to discourage them