H.R. 4577

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To take measures with respect to certain property that is nationalized or expropriated by certain foreign governments, to amend section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to include expropriation of the assets of United States persons in acts, policies, and practices of foreign countries that are unreasonable or discriminatory, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · July 21, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Pfluger

Table of contents

• H.R. 4577
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Identification and prohibitions with respect to property nationalized or expropriated by certain foreign governments
  • SEC. 3. Expansion of acts, policies, and practices that are unreasonable or discriminatory under title iii of the trade act of 1974

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Identification and prohibitions with respect to property nationalized or expropriated by certain foreign governments

• (a) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The term appropriate congressional committees means—
    • The term covered foreign trade partner means a country in the Western Hemisphere that has in effect a free trade agreement with the United States.
    • The term passenger vessel means a vessel that—
    • The term prohibited property means any port, harbor, or marine terminal, including any relevant port infrastructure—
    • The term relevant port infrastructure means the following infrastructure at a port or harbor:
    • The term includes the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States. United States
    • The term United States person means—
• (b) Designation of prohibited property
  • Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State, shall—
    • identify and designate all prohibited property;
    • provide a list of all prohibited property designated under paragraph (1) to—
      • the agencies and officials within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of State responsible for the implementation of subsection (c); and
      • the appropriate congressional committees; and
    • publish the list required under paragraph (2) in the Federal Register.
• (c) Prohibitions on use of prohibited property
  • The President shall prohibit any vessel loaded or previously held at a port, harbor, or marine terminal that is designated as prohibited property under subsection (b)(1) from—
    • importing into the United States any good;
    • releasing into the United States any good;
    • docking any passenger vessel in the United States;
    • releasing into the United States any passenger from a passenger vessel; or
    • dry docking, completing repair work, refurbishing, victualing, refueling, or conducting any other servicing or maintenance-related activities.

SEC. 3. Expansion of acts, policies, and practices that are unreasonable or discriminatory under title iii of the trade act of 1974

• Section 301(d)(3)(B) of the Trade Act of 1974 () is amended— 19 U.S.C. 2411(d)(3)(B)
  • in clause (iii)(V), by striking and inserting a comma;
  • by moving clause (iv) 2 ems to the left;
  • in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
    • (v) constitutes, with respect to the assets of a United States person—
    • direct or indirect expropriation or nationalization,
    • arbitrary or capricious treatment,
    • denial of due process, or
    • discrimination on the basis of nationality.
  • by adding at the end the following: