Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2011 Review of Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers

Investigation No. 332-529
USITC Publication 4327

Summary

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released a public version of its confidential report on the probable economic effect of possible modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides duty-free treatment for specified U.S. imports from certain developing countries.

Requested by the U.S. Trade Representative, the investigation provides advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries, on U.S. imports, and on U.S. consumers, of granting GSP eligibility for a number of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings and countries.

It also provides advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries, on U.S. imports, and on U.S. consumers of granting competitive need limitation waivers on certain HTS subheadings for specific countries. “Competitive need limitations” set the maximum U.S. import level for GSP eligibility and are based on the dollar value or share of total imports of a given product. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered “competitive,” benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted.

A list of the HTS subheadings and countries covered by the report can be viewed in the annex to the USTR’s request letter.

The USITC’s report is now available at:
http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4327.pdf

Also available on CD-ROM and in print; call 202.205.2000 for more information.