United States of America: Expiration and renewal of trade preferences and other programs
Description
On January 1, 2011, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) of the United States expired. Millions of dollars in imports from developing countries that had been eligible for duty-free treatment under this program, which has been in effect since 1976, became dutiable on an MFN basis unless and until Congress approves a reauthorization. This was followed on February 13, 2011 with the expiration of the the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA).
Both preferential trade programs will be renewed when President Obama signs into law two bills that Congress approved on October 12, 2011. One is H.R.2832, which retroactively extends duty-free treatment under the GSP through July 31, 2013; that same bill renews and expands the Trade Adjustment Assistance programs for workers, firms, and communities affted by import competition. The other is the implementing legislation for the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (H.R.3078), Title V of which likewise extends duty-free treatment under the ATPA through July 31, 2013.
Any Evidence-Based Deliberation:
| Question | Result |
|---|---|
| Is there anything in the public record to suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed measure was considered during official deliberations? | |
| Is there any evidence that alternatives to the proposed measure were considered? | |
| Is there anything in the public record that suggests that empirical evidence informed the comparison across the alternatives available to government? | |
| Was such evidence identified? | |
| Is such evidence publicly available? | |
| Did the official decision-maker in question provide an explanation as to why a chosen measure was favoured over alternatives? | |
| Is there any evidence to suggest that potentially affected trading partners were consulted before the measures were taken? | |
| Is there any evidence that safeguards have been put in place to ensure that implementation of the initiative is transparent and non-discriminatory? | |
| Did the government state its intention to review the measure within one year of implementation? |
Date Discovered:
Implemented: No
Date of inception:
GTA Evaluation: Amber
Source:
See the hyperlinked materials in the description.
Government Response:
- 630 reads
