Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2020 Review

On May 27, 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (85 FR 31805) Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2020 Review. Specifically information is sought regarding --

(1) Advice as to the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties on the articles in Table A for all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP program. In accordance with sections 503(a)(1)(A), 503(e), and 131(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``the 1974 Act'') and pursuant to the authority of the President delegated to the USTR by sections 4(c) and 8(c) and (d) of Executive Order 11846 of March 31, 1975, as amended, and pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the USTR notified the Commission that the articles identified in Table A of the Annex to the USTR request letter are being considered for designation as eligible articles for purposes of the GSP program. The USTR requested that the Commission provide its advice as to the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties on the articles identified in Table A of the Annex to the USTR request letter for all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP program (see Table A below).

 Table A--2020 GSP Annual Review--Petitions Submitted To Add Products to
 the List of Eligible Articles for the Generalized System of Preferences
                                  (GSP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             HTS provision                      Brief description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0603.11.00.............................  Sweetheart, Spray and other
                                          Roses, fresh cut.
0603.11.0010...........................  Sweetheart roses, fresh,
                                          suitable for bouquets or for
                                          ornamental purposes.
0603.11.0030...........................  Spray roses, fresh, suitable
                                          for bouquets or for ornamental
                                          purposes.
0603.11.0060...........................  Roses, fresh, suitable for
                                          bouquets for ornamental
                                          purposes, nesoi.
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(2) Advice as to the probable economic effect of the removal from eligibility for duty-free treatment under the GSP program for these articles from all countries on total U.S. imports, on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers. The USTR notified the Commission that six articles from all beneficiary developing countries are being considered for removal from eligibility for duty-free treatment under the GSP program. Under authority delegated by the President, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, with respect to the articles listed in Table B of the Annex to the USTR request letter, the USTR requested that the Commission provide its advice as to the probable economic effect of the removal from eligibility for duty-free treatment under the GSP program for these articles from all beneficiary developing countries on total U.S. imports, on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers (see Table B below).

Table B--2020 GSP Annual Review--Petitions Submitted To Remove Duty-Free
    Status for a Product on the List of Eligible Articles for the GSP
                                 Program
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             HTS provision                      Brief description
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1006.10.00.............................  Rice in the husk (paddy or
                                          rough).
1006.20.20.............................  Basmati rice, husked.
1006.20.40.............................  Husked (brown) rice, other than
                                          Basmati.
1006.30.10.............................  Rice semi-milled or wholly
                                          milled, whether or not
                                          polished or glazed, parboiled.
1006.30.90.............................  Rice semi-milled or wholly
                                          milled, whether or not
                                          polished or glazed, other than
                                          parboiled.
1006.40.00.............................  Broken rice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------