Bills · S 2368
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2368Foreign Trade and International Finance
Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 21· LAST ACTION JUL 21
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
12
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it seeks to strengthen the U.S.'s ability to protect its citizens' and companies' investments overseas, especially in critical infrastructure like ports. If enacted, it would provide a new tool to deter foreign governments from seizing or unfairly interfering with American-owned property, particularly in strategically important regions like the Western Hemisphere. This could create a more secure environment for U.S. businesses operating internationally, potentially encouraging more foreign investment.
Without this bill, the U.S. might have fewer direct and swift mechanisms to respond to the nationalization or expropriation of U.S. assets abroad, especially when it involves vital infrastructure. The changes to the Trade Act of 1974 could broaden the legal grounds for the U.S. to impose trade penalties on countries that engage in unfair practices against American investors. This could impact international trade relations and potentially affect the flow of goods and services if certain ports or trade partners become subject to the new prohibitions.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the U.S. government to identify and designate specific ports or marine terminals as "prohibited property" if a Western Hemisphere country with a free trade agreement has nationalized, seized, or repudiated contracts for U.S.-owned land providing sole access to such infrastructure after January 1, 2024.
This creates a formal process for the U.S. to label foreign infrastructure as problematic based on actions against U.S. property interests.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that the President prohibit vessels that loaded or were held at any designated "prohibited property" from importing goods, releasing goods or passengers, docking, or receiving services in the United States.
This provision establishes a direct economic consequence for foreign governments taking over U.S. property, potentially disrupting international shipping and trade.
PROVISION 03
Amends Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to explicitly include expropriation, nationalization, arbitrary treatment, denial of due process, or discrimination based on nationality regarding U.S. assets as "unreasonable or discriminatory" foreign practices.
This broadens the legal basis for the U.S. government to take retaliatory trade actions against countries that harm U.S. investors.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 12
R· Tennessee
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
27
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 33%
DEM 2 REP 10 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 21
Introduced in Senate
JUL 21
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2368
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 21, 2025
Last actionJul 21, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 21, 2025
Senate BillS 2368Foreign Trade and International Finance
Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUL 21, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 21, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
12
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
