House Votes to Extend Trade Programs

The House on Monday voted to extend two widely-supported trade programs, but for only one year.

The General System of Preferences and the Andean Trade Preference Act were to expire on Dec. 31. The GSP, now in its 35th year, allows developing nations to export selected goods to the United States duty-free. There are currently 132 countries in the program, shipping some 3,400 products.

ATPA, started in 1991, gives similar benefits for exporters in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru in exchange for cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts. President Obama suspended Bolivia’s ATPA privileges for failing to commit to an anti-drug program.

The National Foreign Trade Council praised the House action and urged the Senate to quickly follow suit. “As Congress and the administration increasingly shift their attention to job creation, we encourage them to remember the important role trade can play in boosting the U.S. economy through exports,” said Chuck Dittrich, vice president for regional trade initiatives.

House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., who sponsored the extension bill, noted the benefits the programs had for U.S. jobs. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on trade, said the one-year extensions will give the committee time to review all preference programs.

Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.