IGO Anti-Boycott Act

This bill would prohibit U.S. individuals and entities from participating in boycotts organized by international governmental organizations against countries friendly to the United States. Prohibited actions would include refusing to do business with companies from a boycotted country or providing information about business and charitable relationships involving that country. Violations could result in criminal fines up to $1 million, imprisonment for up to 20 years, and the loss of certain export licenses.

This bill affects U.S. persons, including both individuals and business entities, who participate in boycotts organized by international governmental organizations against countries friendly to the United States. It specifically impacts those who refuse to do business with companies in boycotted countries or provide information regarding business relationships and charitable associations related to those countries. Additionally, the President is required to identify and report on the specific foreign countries and international organizations involved in fostering these boycotts.

• Expansion of anti-boycott prohibitions to international organizations. The bill extends existing legal prohibitions on participating in foreign government boycotts to include boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (IGOs) against countries friendly to the United States.
• Restriction on boycott-related business and information practices. U.S. persons are prohibited from refusing to do business with companies in boycotted countries pursuant to an IGO request and from furnishing information regarding business relationships or associations with charitable organizations supporting the boycotted country.
• Establishment of criminal and civil penalties. Willful violations may result in criminal fines up to $1 million and imprisonment for up to 20 years, while civil penalties may include fines and the revocation of export licenses for national security-related items.
• Annual reporting requirements on IGO boycotts. The President is required to submit an annual report to Congress and the public describing these boycotts and identifying the specific countries and international governmental organizations involved in fostering or imposing them.

The bill expands an existing law that prohibits U.S. persons from participating in boycotts imposed by foreign governments against countries friendly to the United States. It extends these existing prohibitions and associated criminal and civil penalties to include similar boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (IGOs).

The bill seeks to discourage U.S. persons from participating in boycotts organized by international governmental organizations against countries friendly to the United States. It achieves this by expanding existing anti-boycott laws to include international organizations and establishing criminal and civil penalties for compliance with such boycotts.