Top Democrats on Finance, Foreign Affairs Ask About Political Interference in GSP
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Robert Menendez, D.-N.J., have asked U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer if Rudy Giuliani or Gordon Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union, discussed Ukraine with him, as they try to find out why he withdrew a recommendation in August to partially restore Ukraine to the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program. About 150 tariff lines of Ukrainian exports were restored to GSP on Oct. 30 (see 1910280044). They also asked why it was withdrawn a second time on Oct. 17, and asked if USTR discussed the restoration with the president before the White House proclamation about Ukraine and GSP was issued Oct. 25.
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"Did President Trump ever ask you to convey to President Volodymyr Zelensky, other Ukrainian officials, or any other individuals, President Trump’s desire for assistance in investigating one of his political opponents or their family members, or unsubstantiated theories related to Ukraine’s involvement in the 2016 U.S. election? Did you ever convey such a request? If so, please describe the circumstances of that exchange," they wrote.