Nearly 340 organizations in 41 states (plus DC) have now joined the supporter list. You can see them all here. If you’re not on the list but want Congress to renew GSP, be sure to add your name here so we can keep highlighting the importance of GSP to the different states and congressional districts.

The submission came from Kelly Weinberger of WorldFinds in Westmont, IL. The company employs 8 people domestically and works with artisans around the world like Rami in Indonesia and Sushma in India. (Check out some of their jewelry we found here.) According to Kelly, the company paid $6,000 in extra taxes on handicraft imports in August alone and expects to pay another $6,000 in September if GSP benefits are not reinstated. In her words:

“These tariffs are paralyzing us as a small fair trade business with limited resources and an already tight clash flow. Suddenly a huge amount of money needs to be reallocated to pay tariffs instead of being able to order more product from our low-income artisan groups.”

Let’s consider the full ramifications of reallocating money from new purchases to paying tariffs. Reduced work for poor women like Rami means less money for things like their children’s schooling. Reduced inventories for companies like WorldFinds means lower sales and profits. Reduced sales and profits means fewer resources for future product purchases. Repeat.

So while GSP benefits help economic development both at home and abroad, GSP expiration can quickly reverse those gains.

If your taxes have gone up because of GSP expiration, please tell your story (there’s an option to remain anonymous) by filling out our survey here.

Illinois companies imported an estimated $995 million under GSP in 2011, saving them on average 3.8%. India was the most important source of GSP imports, accounting for about 27 percent of the tariff savings. Brakes and brake parts were Illinois’ top import under GSP in 2011 and would have faced average tariffs of 2.5% without GSP.

Yet GSP is set to expire on July 31, 2013, and companies could face tariffs higher tariffs starting on August 1 if Congress does not pass legislation renewing GSP. When GSP expired at the end of 2010, American companies paid nearly $2 million per day, every day, until Congress finally acted 11 months later!

This graphic shows just some of the negative impacts from the last GSP expiration. It also helps explain why more than 335 companies and associations – including at least 38 in Illinois – joined the 2011 GSP Supporter List urging renewal of the program when it last expired.

Are you an Illinois company that would be hurt by GSP expiration? If so, please take 30 seconds to let Congress know by adding your name to our free 2013 GSP Supporter List right now.