Sen. Cantwell Introduces Bill to Add Footwear to GSP, Following House Legislation

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., introduced legislation to designate certain footwear as eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences for the first time in the program’s more than 40-year history, following the May introduction of companion House legislation by Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb. (see 1705260035). Like its House counterpart, S. 2032 would qualify footwear classified in more than 20 tariff schedule subheadings in Chapter 64 for GSP treatment. Introduction of the bill drew praise from the American Apparel and Footwear Association. “Expanding [GSP] to cover shoes will support and grow well-paying American jobs, from design and marketing to logistics and retail,” AAFA CEO Rick Helfenbein said in a statement. “Duty reduction means U.S. footwear companies can reduce costs that can instead be invested in American workers, product innovation, and savings that can be passed on to consumers.” AAFA Executive Vice President Steve Lamar in a separate statement urged quick Senate passage of the footwear bill and overall GSP renewal legislation.