January 15, 2008
News Release 08-008
Inv. No. 332-493
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today released a public version of its confidential report on the probable economic effects of providing duty free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The report, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2007 Review of Additions and Removals, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, provided advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of the addition of six HTS subheadings to the list of articles eligible for the GSP and the removal of two HTS subheadings from duty-free status from certain beneficiary developing countries. The study also provided advice on the effects on consumers.

The USTR's initial request sought advice on the likely impact of the addition of nine HTS subheadings to the list of articles eligible for the GSP. However, in November 2007, the USTR advised the ITC that it had terminated its investigations of three of those subheadings: 2613.10.00 (roasted molybdenum ores and concentrates); 2613.90.00 (other molybdenum ores and concentrates); and 3204.17.90 (other synthetic organic pigments and coloring preparations). The ITC report does not include information on these subheadings.

The HTS subheadings being considered for addition to the GSP covered by the ITC's report are: 2917.12.10 (adipic acid), 4412.39.5030 (certain plywood sheets), 7601.10.30 (certain unwrought aluminum, not alloyed), 7601.20.30 (certain unwrought aluminum, alloys), 7604.21.00 (certain aluminum bars, rods, and profiles), and 8111.00.4910 (manganese metal powder). The HTS subheadings being considered for removal from the GSP covered by the ITC's report are: 2931.00.90 from India (certain other organo-inorganic compounds) and 3920.62.00 from Brazil (polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film).

The ITC submitted a confidential version of the report to the USTR on December 19, 2007.

Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2007 Review of Additions and Removals (Investigation No. 332-493, USITC publication 3982, January 2008) will be available on the ITC's Internet site at http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/332/pub3982.pdf. A CD-ROM of the report may be requested by calling 202-205-2000 or by writing the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

ITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Senate Committee on Finance, or the House Committee on Ways and Means. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the ITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.