GSP is scheduled to expire in one month. The Coalition for GSP spearheaded a letter to Congressional leadership – signed by 284 companies and associations – on the need to renew GSP and avoid expiration. A copy of the letter is here.
If you missed the deadline to sign, you can still add your name using the form below and we will contact your congressional offices about your support. You can also use our Contact Congress page to show your support directly.
If you have multiple locations, tell us in the provided box and we’ll contact congressional offices for each listed location.
If we have questions, please contact Dan Anthony.
SIGN-UP FORM:
LETTER TEXT:
Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy:
On behalf of the XX undersigned companies and trade associations, we are writing to urge immediate passage of legislation extending the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program before it expires on December 31, 2020.
GSP supports American manufacturing by reducing costs of imported inputs, machinery and equipment, and helps American families make ends meet by lowering the costs of consumer goods imported duty free. The GSP program saved American companies over $1 billion in import duties in 2019. Yet temporary lapses in the past have forced companies to lay off workers, freeze new hires, cut wages and benefits, and delay capital investments while awaiting congressional reauthorization. We cannot afford for that to happen again.
The continuing economic impact of COVID-19 makes timely GSP renewal even more important. Many U.S. companies continue to experience severe harm from the pandemic and the related economic downturn. For GSP users, COVID-19 has created a range of challenges, including supplier shutdowns, shipping delays and increased freight costs, mandatory local closures, and reduced U.S. and global demand for products. GSP tariff savings have helped many American companies mitigate these challenges, but millions of dollars a day in new taxes starting in January 2021 would make a difficult situation even worse.
We understand that some stakeholders may wish to make changes to the GSP program as part of a renewal bill. Based on over 40 years of experience using GSP, many American companies are eager to participate in conversations on how to improve the program as well. However, substantive changes to GSP cannot receive the careful consideration they deserve in the XX weeks before the current authorization lapses. The 116th Congress should extend GSP immediately, removing the threat of new tariffs in 2021, and allow the 117th Congress to initiate discussions on potential changes to GSP.
The GSP program enjoys strong bipartisan support in Congress and a track record of creating American jobs. Extending GSP’s authorization is a simple step that Congress can take now to help U.S. businesses grow and thrive again.
Sincerely,