CRS Reports on Trade Preferences: Issues and Policy Options
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report (R41429) entitled, "Trade Preferences: Economic Issues and Policy Options." This report discusses the major U.S. trade preference programs, their possible economic effects, stakeholder interests, and legislative options.
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U.S. trade preference programs give temporary, non-reciprocal, duty-free U.S. market access to select exports of eligible countries. Unlike free trade agreements, trade preferences are unilateral, so developing countries do not have to provide reciprocal trade benefits to the United States. Evaluations of the benefits of trade preferences have been mixed. Many developing countries have used tariff preferences to enhance their competitiveness in certain industries, particularly apparel. Meeting the needs of the least developing countries is a core policy issue that continues to drive the debate over the design of preference programs.