Except as provided under subpart 1, no Federal agency may consider a complaint or petition against any standards-related activity regarding an imported product, if that activity is engaged in within the United States and is covered by the Agreement, unless the Trade Representative finds, and informs the agency concerned in writing, that—

(1) the country of origin of the imported product is a Party to the Agreement or a foreign country described in section 2552(2) of this title; and

(2) the dispute settlement procedures provided under the Agreement are not appropriate.

This section does not apply with respect to causes of action arising under—

(1) the antitrust laws as defined in section 12(a) of title 15; or

(2) statutes administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(Pub. L. 96–39, title IV, § 441, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 103–182, title III, § 351(b)(2)(A), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2122; Pub. L. 104–295, § 21(b)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3529.)