Bill Overview
Title: United States-Ecuador Partnership Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires and authorizes actions to strengthen the U.S.-Ecuador relationship. The President may transfer two excess Coast Guard vessels to Ecuador if there is sufficient capacity to maintain the vessels. The Department of State must develop and implement a strategy to strengthen commercial and economic ties between the United States and Ecuador, including by (1) promoting cooperation and information sharing to increase trade and investment opportunities, and (2) supporting efforts by Ecuador's government to promote a more open and competitive business environment. The State Department must also develop and implement a strategy to increase the capacity of Ecuador's justice system and law enforcement to combat crime, corruption, and the harmful influence of malign foreign and domestic actors. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) must develop and implement a strategy to support inclusive economic development across Ecuador's national territory, including by facilitating increased access to financing and investment for small- and medium-sized businesses. USAID must also, by working through appropriate nonprofit organizations, develop and implement programs to provide training and technical assistance to strengthen the National Assembly of Ecuador. USAID must also develop and implement programs to improve ecosystem conservation and enhance the effective stewardship of Ecuador's natural resources. The State Department and USAID must periodically report to Congress on the implementation of these strategies and programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8]
Target Audience
Population: People of Ecuador
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill involves economic, commercial, and legal cooperation between the U.S. and Ecuador.
- U.S. businesses that trade with Ecuador or are looking to invest could benefit from improved economic relations.
- Ecuadorian businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, will directly benefit from increased access to financing and investment.
- The justice system and law enforcement in Ecuador will be strengthened, impacting Ecuadorian citizens positively by potentially reducing crime and corruption.
- Citizens of Ecuador will benefit from improved ecosystem conservation efforts and natural resource management.
- U.S. government agencies, such as the State Department and USAID, will be involved in implementing various strategies, impacting their operations and resources.
Reasoning
- American businesses already trading with Ecuador may see a direct impact from increased commercial ties and economic cooperation, possibly improving their trade volume.
- Personnel from the State Department and USAID will be impacted due to their involvement in implementing the strategies, leading to shifts in workload and resource allocation.
- The policy's budget is relatively small compared to the U.S. economy, limiting its direct impact on the broader U.S. population.
- Indirect effects might be sensed by economically aligned industries such as trade consultancy, legal aid, and investment firms specializing in international markets involving Ecuador.
- The bill indirectly affects public awareness around international aid and foreign relations, potentially influencing public opinions on overseas investments.
Simulated Interviews
International Trade Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pretty optimistic about the increased economic ties with Ecuador. It may open up more opportunities for my firm and clients.
- There's always a concern about whether these policies follow through, but overall, I think it's a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Policy Advisor at the State Department (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy certainly boosts our portfolio in Latin America, adding more depth to our Ecuador relations.
- However, the increased workload and tight budgets can sometimes lead to resource strain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy's focus on conservation in Ecuador is critical considering our current environmental challenges worldwide.
- There might be opportunities for collaboration and exchanging expertise in sustainable practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Owner of a Small Shipping Company (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that improves trade relations with Ecuador is good for my business, but the actual impact depends on execution.
- I hope there are no unnecessary red-tape or restrictions that could negate the benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Financial Analyst (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy potentially makes Ecuador a more attractive investment destination, but we have to wait to see tangible outcomes.
- There could be some favorable shifts in investment flows that my clients might benefit from.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Professor of International Relations (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 57 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a testament to the evolving dynamics between the U.S. and Ecuador, which is academically fascinating.
- It's crucial for students to study real-world policy applications; this will add valuable case studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm not directly affected, knowing that there is a push for economic growth in neighboring regions is encouraging.
- It's interesting to see how governmental policies can open new markets.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Journalist at an International Affairs Magazine (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm intrigued by the strategies outlined and will be analyzing their implementation and effectiveness over time.
- The policy's focus on several critical areas could lead to some significant developments in Ecuador.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Human Rights Advocate (Boston, MA)
Age: 36 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm always cautious about foreign policies potentially overlooking human rights, I'm hopeful that the included conservation efforts mean a more holistic approach.
- Monitoring the implementation is key to ensure that the intended benefits reach all sectors of society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Coast Guard Veteran (Dallas, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transfer of Coast Guard vessels is an interesting move and signals deeper cooperation with Ecuador.
- It’ll be intriguing to see how such actions play into the broader defense and foreign aid strategies the U.S. engages in.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 2: $3200000 (Low: $2700000, High: $3700000)
Year 3: $3400000 (Low: $2900000, High: $3900000)
Year 5: $3800000 (Low: $3300000, High: $4300000)
Year 10: $4400000 (Low: $3900000, High: $4900000)
Year 100: $6000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The success of the partnership relies on collaboration with Ecuadorian counterparts and their political stability.
- The scalability of projects related to justice and natural resources depends on continuous U.S. involvement and funding.
- Potential geopolitical tensions or influences in the region, particularly regarding U.S. foreign policy, could affect implementation.
- Ecuador's economic and political climate may impact the efficacy and sustainability of the proposed strategies.