William S. Cohen Papers | Senate Legislative Materials on Trade

Home  |  About the Collection  |   About William S. Cohen  |  Events & Outreach  |   Special Collections Department

MS 106.3.3.18 Trade 1977-1996 25 boxes

Records in this subseries deal with trade issues particularly as they relate to the Maine footwear, wool, potato, and fishing industries. General small business issues are also documented in this category, as are issues concerning the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the U.S. Canada Free-Trade Agreement, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The files are organized into two subdivisions, based on the work of the legislative assistants who created them: a) Robert Umphrey and Robert Porter, 1977-1989, and b) Eben Adams and John Veroneau, 1988-1996.

MS 106.3.3.18.1 Robert Umphrey and Robert Porter 1977-1989 15 boxes

Arranged alphabetically. Robert Umphrey worked with Cohen from 1979-1984 on agriculture, forestry, trade, and fisheries issues. These subject areas were turned over to Robert Porter in 1984, who handled them until 1989.
Records in this group reflect some of the struggles Maine industries have had in competing with subsidized imported goods from Canada and other countries.

In November 1981, Cohen chaired a hearing conducted by the Senate Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee on the impact of U.S.-Canadian trade policies on small American businesses located in border states. Witnesses representing the potato, fishing, wood products, and maple syrup producers presented testimony to this subcommittee, and records related to this hearing are included here.

The footwear industry has long been important in Maine, and records related to a 1984-1985 U.S. International Trade Commission investigation of difficulties experienced by this industry are also present in this category.
For many years, Maine was the leading manufacturer of clothespins in the nation, and problems presented by imported clothespins to this Maine industry are documented here.

Significant legislative initiatives mentioned in these papers are:
The Small Business and Agricultural Trade Remedies Act of 1983 (S. 50). This bill was introduced by Senator Cohen to provide improved access to trade remedies, particularly for small businesses.
The American Footwear Act of 1984 (S. 2731). This bill was introduced by Cohen to impose a global quota on non-rubber footwear imports into the United States.
The Omnibus Trade Act of 1987 (S. 490). Co-sponsored by Cohen, this bill was intended to authorize negotiations of reciprocal trade agreements and to strengthen United States trade laws.
Records include hearing briefs, Cohen's statements, briefing memos, and correspondence from organizations representing the footwear, wool, potato, and other industries.

Folder Titles

Acorn, Inc., Lewiston, Maine, 1982.
Agricultural trade, 1981-1982.
American Textile Manufacturers Institute (ATMI), 1984-1985.
Anti-dumping laws, administration views, 1987.
Anti-dumping laws, foreign views, 1987.
Atkins, Small Business Administration, 1984.
Automobile imports, 1980.
Bates Fabric, 1981.
Bi-lateral relations with Japan, 1982-1984.
Bi-lateral trade with Canada, fishing, 1986.
Bills, 97th Congress, 1981-1982.
Bills, miscellaneous trade, H.R. 3398, 1984.
Canada trade hearing, general background, 1978-1982, 4 folders.
Canada trade hearings, border broadcasting dispute, 1981.
Canada free trade, agriculture, 1988-1989.
Canada free trade, miscellaneous and news clippings, 1984-1985.
Canadian trade, briefing book, 1981-1982.
Canadian trade hearing, memos, statements, 1981, 4 folders.
Canadian trade, lumber, 1984.
Canadian trade relations: trip to Maine, January, 1982.
Caribbean Basin Initiative, 1981-1983, 2 folders.
Clothespins, 1977-1979, 2 folders.
Clothespins, 1979-1982.
Clothespins, correspondence, 1978.
Clothespins, quota, 1978-1979, 2 folders.
Cohen amendments, 1983-1984.
Competitiveness and trade, hearing, March 25, 1987.
Competitiveness and trade, hearing, March 31, 1987.
Cornwall Industries and Economic Development Administration (EDA), 1984.
Cornwall Industries and International Trade Administration, 1982.
Co-sponsor letters, 1986.
Co-sponsorship, 98th Congress, 1984.
Domestic content, 1984.
Domestic content for autos, 1982-1984, 2 folders.
Duchess Footware Corporation, South Berwick, Maine, 1981-1982.
Economic Development Administration (EDA) re-authorization, 1981-1982, 2 folders.
Economic Development Administration (EDA), cuts in program, 1981-1982, 2 folders.
Economic Development Administration (EDA) loan, Searsport, 1981.
Export administration, renewal, 1983, 4 folders.
Export of hazardous substances, 1981.
Export promotion, 1981-1982.
Far East trade briefings, August, 1985.
Farm Bill, 1985, 2 folders.
Farmers Home Administration loan request, L and S Sales, 1983.
Farmers Housing Administration, 1985-1986.
Footwear, 1984, 4 folders.
Footwear: American Footwear Industry Recovery Act (non-rubber), 1985.
Footwear 201, background, caucus, 1982-1984.
Footwear caucus, 1984-1985.
Footwear caucus, news clippings and articles, 1983-1984.
Footwear caucus, opposition, 1984.
Footwear caucus, support, 1982.
Footwear, Cohen floor statements, 1984-1985.
Footwear, Cohen statements, 1984.
Footwear, Cohen testimony before finance committee, 1984, 2 folders.
Footwear facts, records, 1985.
Footwear, hide prices, 1979, 2 folders.
Footwear, imported leather uppers dispute, 1982-1984, 3 folders.
Footwear, footwear imports, finance committee hearing, 1984.
Footwear Industries of America (FIA), facts, background, 1984-1985.
Footwear industry, 1979-1982.
Footwear, International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing briefs, 1985, 2 folders.
Footwear, International Trade Commission (ITC) post-hearing briefs, 1984-1985.
Footwear, International Trade Commission (ITC) section 201 amendment HP 3398.
Footwear, International Trade Commission (ITC) section 201 escape clause, 1984-1985, 2 folders.
Footwear, Koss Shoe Company, Honduras, 1982.
Footwear, letters, 1985.
Footwear, meeting with Vice President Bush, 1985.
Footwear, mill closures, 1984.
Footwear, news clippings, 1984-1985, 2 folders.
Footwear, Nike, 1979-1980.
Footwear, Nike, trade restrictions, 1983-195, 2 folders.
Footwear, non-rubber footware studies, 1984.
Footwear, Odlo cross-country ski wear, 1983.
Footwear Petition, section 301 Trade Act, 1982-1983.
Footwear, post ITC decision, 1984.
Footwear Reform Bill, S. 2845, 1984.
Footwear restrictions, opposition briefs, 1985, 6 folders.
Footwear study, General Accounting Office, 1986.
Footwear, Tanner's Council, general, 1980-1985, 3 folders.
Footwear, Textile-footwear briefing book, 1985.
Footwear, textile legislation, 1985.
Footwear, textiles, 1989.
Footwear, trade, 1977-1979, 2 folders.
Footwear, trade legislation, imports, 1984.
Forestry, Canadian imports, 1983-1984, 2 folders.
Fort Fairfield, Oppenheimer Companies, Inc., 1983.
General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Ministerial, 1982.
Generalized system of preferences, 1982-1984.
Gibbons Trade Reform Bill, 1983-1984.
Government procurement, 1983.
Hearings, Trade Subcommittee, July 1985, 2 folders.
Hillcrest Foods, Inc., Lewiston, Maine, 1979-1981.
Imported steam, September-November, 1982.
Industrial innovation, 1979.
International monetary exchange rate, 1984.
International monetary fund, 1982-1983.
International Monetary Fund, Argentina loan, 1984.
International Trade Commission (ITC) Amendment, Agricultural Producer, 1984.
International Trade Commission (ITC) legislation, 1984.
Israel and U.S. free trade, 1983-1984.
Japan: economic friction, 1985-1986.
Japan: free trade and surplus, April 1986.
Japan: Toyota Motor Corporation, April 1986.
Japanese trade information pack, 1982-1984.
Loan liquidations, 1982.
Maine trade, briefing book, January, 1982.
Machine Tool Builders' petition, 1983.
McCain Foods, Inc., purchase, international trade, 1982-1984.
Meat and poultry inspection, hearing, May, 1987.
Mitchell-International Joint Economic Council (IJEC) proposal, 1984.
Multifiber Agreement (renewal in 1981), world textile trade, 1983.
Multilaterial trade negotiations, background, 1979.
New England Council trade speech, March 11, 1987.
Norrwock Shoes, Skowhegan, Norridgewock, Maine, 1981.
Omnibus Trade Act, corporation and trade association views, 1987, 2 folders.
Omnibus Trade Bill, amendments, 1987.
Portland Fish Pier, 1980-1983, 2 folders.
Potato Council case, International Trade Commission (ITC) determination, 1983.
Potatoes: Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Administration, 1981-1983.
Potato reports, 1982-1983.
Press releases on trade, 1982-1983.
Reciprocal Trade and Investment Act, 1983.
Regulations, country of origin, 1984-1985.
Rockland Fish Pier, 1983-1984.
Small business, 1980.
Small business, 1984-1986, 2 folders.
Small Business Administration, 1985.
Small Business Committee hearing: plutonium, F.B.I., Silkwood case, 1976.
Small business, general information and troubles, 1978-1980, 3 folders.
Small business, material injury standards and special provisions, 1984.
Small business, technical corrections amendments, 1984.
Small business trade assistance, 1982-1983.
Small business, trade, background, 1981-1984, 2 folders.
Small Business Trade Bill, 1982-1984.
Small business, trade, briefing, 1984.
Small Business Trade Remedies Act, 1982-1983.
Small Business Trade Remedies Act, finance hearings, 1983-1984, 2 folders.
Small business conference, White House, 1979-1980, 2 folders.
Specialty steel and trade, 1984.
Steel subsidies, 1984, 3 folders.
Strategic trade office, 1982.
Tariff measures, H.R. 3398, 1984.
Tariffs and trade, general agreements, 1981-1982.
Tariffs Bill, legislation and sections, 1984.
Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act, 1985.
Textile, Apparel and Footwear Trade Act, 1988.
Textile industry, 1875-1979, 2 folders.
Textile Quota Bill, 1985-1986, 2 folders.
Textiles, Fiber and Wool Identification Act, 1984.
Textiles, general, 1981-1984.
Textiles, Northern Textile Association Dinner, 1983.
Textiles, Northern Textile Association, woolen imports, rope.
Tomato War, 1979.
Trade Act of 1974, Amendments to section 201, 1984.
Trade Act of 1974, background, 1982.
Trade adjustment assistance, 1979-1980.
Trade Bill, 1985-1986.
Trade Bills, summaries, news clippings, reports, 1987.
Trade: free trade zones, 1984.
Trade issues, articles, 1981-1987.
Trade issues, articles and reports, 1986, 2 folders.
Trade Department, Strauss hearing, 1983.
Trade Law Reform Act, 1983.
Trade policy, issues, information pack, 1982-1984, 2 folders.
Trade reciprocity, 1982-1984, 2 folders.
Trade reciprocity legislation, 1982-1983.
Trade Reorganization Act, S. 121, reported by Government Affairs Committee, 1983, 2 folders.
Trade Reorganization Act, mark-up, 1983.
Trade, textiles, 1984.
United States Customs Service, 1982-1984.
United States Department of Agriculture, information, 1983.
University of Maine, New Enterprise Institute, 1983.
Ware Knitters, Inc., stitching facility, 1982.
Wine Equity Act, 1983-1984.
Wool Committee Meeting (ATMI), 1984.
Wool industry, 1981-1984, 2 folders.
Woolens, Eastland Woolen Mill, Corinna, Maine, 1981-1985.
Woolens, trade, textiles, 1979-1981.

MS 106.3.3.18.2 John Veroneau and Eben Adams 1988-1996 11 boxes

Arranged alphabetically. John Veroneau handled trade-related issues from 1989 to January, 1994, at which time he became legislative director for the Cohen office. These issues were then turned over to Eben Adams, who worked with Senator Cohen from 1992-1996.

Some of the issues documented in this category are:
The Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT provides an agreed upon set of rules which govern world trade. Since 1947, it has conducted seven negotiating rounds, which reduced the average tariff level worldwide. The Uruguay round, conducted in 1993, required member nations to phase out import tariffs on a wide range of items.

The U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement of 1989. This agreement was designed to resolve many outstanding bilateral trade issues, and to eliminate tariffs on goods traded within ten years of implementation.

The North American Free Trade Agreement of 1993 (NAFTA). The purpose of this agreement was to allow goods and services to be exchanged unimpeded by tariff and non-tariff barriers. It was not supported by Senator Cohen, primarily because it was built on the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement which he felt was being openly violated, especially by a New Brunswick sales tax that was being collected at the Maine border, and Canada's continued practice of subsidizing its industries that compete with Maine industries.

The "Made in USA" policy of the Federal Trade Commission. Senator Cohen felt that, due to changes in the global market, "Made in USA" claims should not be limited to companies whose goods are virtually 100 percent American-made.
Issues related to the import of wool coats into the USA from Eastern Europe. These imports threatened Maine companies such as the Carleton, Cascade, and Eastland Woolen mills.

Anti-dumping issues. This term relates to problems created when foreign companies sell their goods in the United States at prices below the market price, or even below the cost of production.

The Textile, Apparel, and Footwear Trade Act of 1990 (S. 2411). This bill was co-sponsored by Senator Cohen and designed to provide for orderly imports of textiles, apparel, and footwear.

The Department of International Trade and Industry Act of 1987 (S. 330), sponsored by Senators Roth and Cohen. This act was introduced to create a Department of Trade that would combine the U.S. Trade Representative with trade-related functions of the Department of Commerce.

Records include reports, correspondence from Maine organizations and industries, briefing memos, Cohen's statements, and fact sheets on trade issues distributed by the White House press secretary and members of the U.S. Senate.
Access to records in this sub series is restricted until 2017. Consult the Special Collections Department for further information.


Back to collection outline

Search the finding aid

---

Revised: 03/19/2019