FOREIGN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS.

SEC. 252. FOREIGN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS. (a) Whenever unjustifiable foreign import restrictions impair the value of tariff commitments made to the United States, oppress the commerce of the United States, or prevent the expansion of trade on a mutually advantageous basis, the President shall— (1) take all appropriate and feasible steps within his power to eliminate such restrictions, (2) refrain from negotiating the reduction or elimination of any United States import restriction under section 201(a) in order to obtain the reduction or elimination of any such restrictions, and (3) notwithstanding any provision of any trade agreement under this Act and to the extent he deems necessary and appropriate, impose duties or other import restrictions on the products of any foreign country or instrumentality establishing or maintaining such foreign import restrictions against United States agricultural products, when he deems such duties and other import restrictions necessary and appropriate to prevent the establishment or obtain the removal of such foreign import restrictions and to provide access for United States agricultural products to the markets of such country or instrumentality on an equitable basis. (b) Whenever a foreign country or instrumentality the products of which receive benefits of trade agreement concessions made by the United States— (1) maintains nontariff trade restrictions, including variable import fees, which substantially burden United States commerce in a manner inconsistent with provisions of trade agreements, or (2) engages in discriminatory or other acts (including tolerance of international cartels) or policies unjustifiably restricting United States commerce, the President shall, to the extent, that such action is consistent with the purposes of section 102— (A) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions to products of such country or instrumentality, or (B) refrain from proclaiming benefits of trade agreement concessions to carry out a trade agreement with such country or instrumentality. (c) Whenever a foreign country or instrumentality, the products of which receive benefits of trade agreement concessions made by the United States, maintains unreasonable import restrictions which either directly or indirectly substantially burden United States commerce, the President may, to the extent that such action is consistent with the purposes of section 102, and having due regard for the international obligations of the United States— (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions to products of such country or instrumentality, or 76 Stat. 880 (2) refrain from proclaiming benefits of trade agreement concessions to carry out a trade agreement with such country or instrumentality. (d) The President shall provide an opportunity for the presentation of views concerning foreign import restrictions which are referred to in subsections (a), (b), and (c) and are maintained against United States commerce. Upon request by any interested person, the President shall, through the organization established pursuant to section 242(a), provide for appropriate public hearings with respect to such restrictions after reasonable notice and provide for the issuance of regulations concerning the conduct of such hearings.