Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act

This bill strengthens how the United States handles unfair imports. It speeds up and coordinates trade cases when similar goods are already under review, and tells trade officials to consider recent, related cases so relief isn’t undone by repeat issues. For these follow-on cases, it sets firm timelines: a preliminary decision in subsidy cases within 85 days and in dumping cases within 140 days, with final decisions 75 days later.

It also tackles pricing tricks and market distortions. Officials can examine subsidies that cross borders, adjust calculations when markets are skewed (like when a government heavily controls key inputs or limits exports), and look at whether a country’s undervalued currency acts like a subsidy.

To stop companies from dodging duties, it creates clear steps and deadlines for “circumvention” inquiries, lets agencies require importers to certify their goods and inputs aren’t covered by trade orders, and allows suspending entries and requiring cash deposits if certifications are missing or false. Remedies can target specific companies or entire countries, and key decisions must be made public.

Non‑U.S. importers must keep assets inside the United States equal to the maximum possible duties and post a bond; trusted, high‑security traders can be exempt. Breaking these rules can bring steep civil penalties.

Key points

• Who is affected: U.S. producers competing with imports; importers (especially nonresident importers); foreign exporters; U.S. trade agencies and Customs and Border Protection. Goods from Canada and Mexico are covered by these changes.
• What changes: Faster, coordinated follow‑on investigations and limits on dismissing harm claims based only on short‑term gains from earlier relief; new tools to address cross‑border subsidies, distorted costs, and currency undervaluation; stronger anti‑evasion measures including importer certifications and cash deposits; added tools to address evasion of safeguard actions; and asset/bond requirements for nonresident importers.
• When: Most changes apply on the date the law is enacted, with some also applying to certain ongoing cases and inquiries. The nonresident‑importer asset rule applies to goods entered 180 days after enactment, and CBP must set procedures within 90 days. Some other amendments take effect 180 days after enactment.