---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2278"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2278"
heading: "Consistency with international obligations of United States"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2278"
units:
  - "Chapter 55 — Department of Agriculture"
---

# §2278. Consistency with international obligations of United States

- (a) **In general—** Prior to the promulgation of, or amendment to, any [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan under a research and promotion program relating to research and promotion of any [agricultural commodity](/usc/7/5602.md?p=1) or product, after November 28, 1990, where such [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan would provide for an assessment on imports, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) Trade Representative regarding the consistency of the provisions of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan with the international obligations of the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8).
- (b) **Compliance with U.S. international obligations—** The Secretary of Agriculture shall take all steps necessary and appropriate to ensure that any [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan or amendment to such [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan, and the implementation and enforcement of any [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan or amendment to such [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) or plan, or program as it relates to imports is nondiscriminatory and in compliance with the international obligations of the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8), as interpreted by the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8) Trade Representative.
- (c) **Construction—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as providing for a cause of action under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XIX, § 1999T, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3928.)