The act is American legislation closely associated with its chief sponsor, Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

In short, this meant that non-US firms which sell below cost price in the US can be fined, and the money given to the US companies who made the complaint in the first place.

[1][2] On July 21, 2001, the European Commission and eight other countries – Australia, Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand — filed a formal protest with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Eventually, after growing pressure on multiple fronts, the 109th United States Congress in December 2005 and January 2006 repealed the amendment.

[clarification needed] The act's provisions stayed in place until October 1, 2007, and money continued to be redirected to companies during this time.