USTR Considers Whether to Recommend Designating Iraq as a GSP Beneficiary Developing Country
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing the initiation of a review to consider the designation of Iraq as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.
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According to the USTR, this review has been initiated in order to make a recommendation to the President as to whether Iraq meets the eligibility criteria of the GSP statute. After considering the eligibility criteria, the President is authorized to designate Iraq as a beneficiary developing country for purposes of the GSP.
President Must Consider Certain Criteria in Determining Whether to Designate Iraq as GSP Eligible
The USTR states that in determining whether to designate any country as a GSP beneficiary developing country, the President shall take into account certain criteria (listed in the notice), including (partial list):
the level of economic development of such country, including its per capita gross national product, the living standards of its inhabitants, and any other economic factors which the President deems appropriate;
the extent to which such country has assured the U.S. that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to the markets and basic commodity resources of such country and the extent to which such country has assured the U.S. that it will refrain from engaging in unreasonable export practices;
whether or not such country has taken or is taking steps to afford to workers in that country (including any designated zone in that country) internationally recognized worker rights.
- written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on August 2, 2004.
USTR contact - GSP Subcommittee (202) 395-6971
USTR notice (FR Pub 07/01/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14962.pdf