GSP Renewal Legislation Passes Senate
A little earlier this afternoon, the Senate voted 97-1 in favor of legislation (H.R. 1295, as amended with S. 1267) that would renew GSP through December 31, 2017 and refund most tariffs paid since GSP expired in July 2013. It would also extend certain preferences for imports from Africa and Haiti. A big THANK YOU...
Continue readingGSP Vote by Full Senate Tomorrow (May 14, 2015) at 12:00PM – CONTACTS NEEDED
Following a failed procedural vote yesterday on a TPA/TAA package, Senate leaders struck a new deal that calls for separate votes on preferences legislation (including GSP) and the Customs bill tomorrow at 12:00PM. To pass, the legislation will need at least 60 votes in favor. So we need everyone to call their Senate offices this...
Continue readingExpanded GSP Product Coverage Could Save American Families Even More Money
Most Americans have not heard of GSP. Most do not realize that they save money from it. As part of Imports Work week, we have shown everyday products from the home of the GSP Coalition’s Dan Anthony that benefit from GSP – from his Indonesian dinnerware to his dog’s Indian dinnerware to Thai picture frames...
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Exploring Moskow
Moscow (Russian: Москва) is the 860 year-old capital of Russia. A truly iconic, global city, Moscow has played a central role in the development of Russia and the world. For many, the sight of the Kremlin complex in the centre of the city is still loaded with symbolism and history. Moscow was the capital of...
Continue readingGSP Expiration – A Hard Lesson About Imports and Jobs
May is World Trade Month. For those intrepid trade souls who like to buck conventional wisdom and speak about the unspeakable – the benefits of imports – today also marks the start of the 4th annual “Imports Work for America” week. This is not to discount the positive contribution of exports, but for many companies,...
Continue readingSmall Businesses Are Hurt Most by GSP Expiration
National Small Business Week kicked off today. According to the SBA, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. These companies are also some of the biggest users of the GSP program: more than 530 small businesses with 100 or fewer employees are on our GSP supporter list. That’s about...
Continue reading5 More Companies Join the GSP Supporter List
While Congress tries to figure out next steps for the GSP renewal legislation passed by the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees last week, five new companies have joined the group of American organizations urging Congress to renew the program. In total, there are now 696 companies and associations publicly supporting GSP renewal....
Continue readingRep. Boustany on the Impacts of GSP Expiration
In this morning’s House Ways and Means mark up of the trade preferences bill, Representative Charles Boustany (R-LA) spoke about the importance of renewing GSP for companies in the United States, Louisiana, and his 3rd District. In particular, he highlighted the impacts of expiration on K2 Coolers in New Iberia (clip below). K2 Coolers is...
Continue readingSenate Finance, House Ways and Means Committees Pass Legislation to Renew GSP
It’s been a good 18 or so hours. Early last night, the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation that would renew GSP, along with special preferences for African countries and Haiti. The version approved by the Finance Committee contained several amendments to the original bill, including one that would make travel goods (e.g., luggage, b...
Continue readingGSP Survey Responses from Companies in Ways and Means Districts
The House Ways and Means Committee is currently holding a hearing on the trade agenda, so it seems appropriate to highlight survey responses from companies located in Ways and Means members’ districts. You can see previous survey responses here, here, and here (and answer the survey yourself here). We’ll start with an easy one, as...
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