On March 1, 2011, House Ways and Means Ranking Member Levin (D) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member McDermott (D) issued a statement criticizing the Republicans for "holding up the trade agenda." According to Levin, the Administration’s implementation language for the South Korea FTA is nearly complete and it should be sent to the Congress promptly.
On March 1, 2011, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative posted to its website the President’s 2011 Trade Policy Agenda and 2010 Annual Report, which contains information on his trade priorities, including exports, free trade agreements, trade preferences, intellectual property rights, and enforcement.
According to sources in the trade, the Administration, and Congress, renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences program is more uncertain now than at any time in the last few decades. Advocates say businesses that depend on GSP should contact Congress daily if they want a chance at extension. Contact your Senators by clicking here. Contact your House Representative by clicking here.
On February 22, 2011, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Marantis met with Ghanaian Deputy Trade Minister Ayariga and spoke to an audience of Ghanaian students, business leaders, and officials about growing U.S.-Ghana trade and investment. USTR also issued a Weekly Trade Spotlight on U.S. trade with Ghana.
During February 22, 2011 meetings, Senator Baucus, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Brazil's Ministers of Foreign Relations, Finance, Agriculture, and Deputy Minister of Trade discussed opportunities to increase trade between the U.S. and Brazil, including the conclusion of the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and the need to renew the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
On February 17, 2011, Senator McCain (R) attempted to use “unanimous consent” procedures to have the Senate pass S. 380, his recently introduced bill to extend the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA)/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA)1.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing an additional 30 day comment period for the proposed extension of its existing e the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act Certificate of Origin (CBP Form 449) information collection, which it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval.
On February 14, 2011, U.S. Trade Representative Kirk released a statement on the recent expiration of certain trade programs. He said that he is disappointed that Congress has not acted to extend Trade Adjustment Assistant (TAA), the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) and Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). He added that the USTR encourages Congress to extend these three programs as soon as possible and to do so for substantially more than a few months. He is committed to working with Congress to secure reauthorization of these trade programs.
On February 8, 2011, Senators Casey (D) and Brown (D) introduced S. 308, a bill to amend and renew (with a retroactive provision) the Generalized System of Preferences Program, renew the Andean Trade Preferences Act/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, and renew Trade Adjustment Assistance.
CBP has issued a CSMS message regarding the February 12, 2011 expiration of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) and Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA).