USTR Lists the Country/Tariff Number Pairs Eligible for GSP-Redesignation (Part II - Final)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published a notice announcing the availability of 2006 full calendar year import statistics relating to the Generalized System of Preferences Competitive Needs Limitations (CNLs) for certain country/tariff number pairs (pairs), as well as the availability of four computer-generated lists indicating possible GSP eligibility changes for certain pairs due to the CNLs.
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(The USTR notes that CNL decisions will be based in part on full calendar year import statistics availablefrom the International Trade Commission (ITC), not on the USTR's computer-generated lists, which are highlighted below.)
This is Part II of a two-part BP series of summaries of these four computer-generated lists. Part II includes information on the pairs in List III for which the submission of comments may influence whether they are redesignated for GSP duty-free benefits. All of the listed pairs were previously removed from GSP due to exceeding a CNL(s).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/02/07 news, 07030205, for BP summary of USTR lists I, II, and IV.)
Certain Pairs May Regain GSP Benefits if Redesignated
USTR's information provides, among other things, advance notice of the pairs that are eligible to be redesignated as GSP-eligible. According to the USTR's GSP Guidebook, once a pair is removed from GSP eligibility because it exceeded the CNLs, an interested party can seek redesignation if U.S. imports of that pair fall below the CNLS in a subsequent year.
Submission of Comments on Possible Redesignation Decisions due March 16
The USTR"s notice affords the public an opportunity to comment on possible redesignations by 5 p.m., on March 16, 2007.
List III: List of Pairs Eligible for Possible Redesignation
List III contains the pairs eligible for possible redesignation. USTR and the Guidebook indicate that redesignation determinations are normally based on 2006 trade data, as well as certain factors, such as (1) the country's general level of development, (2) its competitiveness in the particular product, (3) the country's practices relating to trade, investment, and worker's rights, (4) the overall economic interests of the U.S., including the effect continued GSP treatment would have on the relevant U.S. producers, workers, and consumers, and (5) any other relevant information.
The computer-generated list of articles eligible for possible redesigation, based on 2006 trade data (without considering other factors) is as follows:
USTR Federal Register notice on CNLs and announcement on availability of four CNL lists and ITC data (FR Pub 02/27/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3394.pdf
USTR's CNL lists available at http://www.ustr.gov/Trade_Development/Preference_Programs/GSP/GSP_Full-Year_2006_Import_Statistics_Relating_to_Competitive_Need_Limitations_(CNLs).html
ITC full calendar year 2006 data available at http://dataweb.usitc.gov
GSP Guidebook (February 2007) available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Development/Preference_Programs/GSP/asset_upload_file412_8359.pdf