Interviews
USTR releases 2010 GSP Annual Review
02 Jan '12
2 min read
United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced the outcome of the Obama Administration's 2010 Annual Review under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Congress created the GSP program in the Trade Act of 1974 to help developing countries expand their economies by allowing certain goods to be imported to the United States duty-free.
Ambassador Kirk said, “GSP is an important element both of this Administration's trade agenda and of its efforts to help developing countries grow their economies through increased trade.
The annual review of GSP helps us to ensure that the program is working as it should and that developments affecting country and product eligibility are taken into account, consistent with the GSP statute.
A well-functioning GSP program also helps U.S. businesses, workers, and consumers by lowering the costs of imported goods, including those used as inputs for U.S. manufacturing.”
Based on the Administration's review of product petitions accepted for the 2010 GSP Annual Review, President Obama determined that one product – certain non-down sleeping bags – should be removed from eligibility for duty-free treatment under GSP because it is import-sensitive in the context of GSP.
A petition to remove GSP duty-free treatment for two types of self-adhesive plastic tape was denied.
The Administration continues to review several country practices petitions that seek to withdraw or limit a country's GSP benefits based on that country's non-compliance with certain statutory eligibility criteria.
As previously announced in the Federal Register, a public hearing will be held at USTR on January 24, 2012 to receive testimony on country practices petitions related to worker rights issues in Bangladesh, Georgia, Niger, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.
Ambassador Kirk said, “GSP is an important element both of this Administration's trade agenda and of its efforts to help developing countries grow their economies through increased trade.
The annual review of GSP helps us to ensure that the program is working as it should and that developments affecting country and product eligibility are taken into account, consistent with the GSP statute.
A well-functioning GSP program also helps U.S. businesses, workers, and consumers by lowering the costs of imported goods, including those used as inputs for U.S. manufacturing.”
Based on the Administration's review of product petitions accepted for the 2010 GSP Annual Review, President Obama determined that one product – certain non-down sleeping bags – should be removed from eligibility for duty-free treatment under GSP because it is import-sensitive in the context of GSP.
A petition to remove GSP duty-free treatment for two types of self-adhesive plastic tape was denied.
The Administration continues to review several country practices petitions that seek to withdraw or limit a country's GSP benefits based on that country's non-compliance with certain statutory eligibility criteria.
As previously announced in the Federal Register, a public hearing will be held at USTR on January 24, 2012 to receive testimony on country practices petitions related to worker rights issues in Bangladesh, Georgia, Niger, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.
United States Trade Representative
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