In the clip below, Senator Wyden discusses how GSP is an “economic win-win” for developing countries and U.S. manufacturers, including GSP Supporter List company Stackhouse Athletic in Salem, Oregon.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xfXQVAIjBQ]

For more recent info, below is our just-released 2015 GSP savings graphic for Oregon (all other state graphics here) and you can download our new 2015 Oregon state GSP report (all other state reports here).

Providing specific examples of constituents benefiting from GSP is one of the best ways to educate Members of Congress about the importance of the GSP program. This is particularly true with GSP’s current authorization set to expire at the end of 2017. If you are a GSP importer – in Oregon or anywhere else – please add your name to our free GSP supporter list so we can build support for uninterrupted GSP renewal early next year.

NAM highlighted the impact on Momentive, a specialty chemicals and materials producer with a presence in 21 states, including manufacturing facilities in New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Oregon, Indiana and California. Roger McCrary, Momentive’s Vice President for Global Trade Management, noted the trade-offs that companies must make when Congress fails to renew GSP:

“Our ability to remain an innovative, cutting-edge American company requires access to affordable raw materials. With the increase in tariffs resulting from GSP’s expiration, we need to cut from other parts of our budget, such as R&D. That has an impact on our bottom line and future products.”

These trade-offs are faced by all companies, not just manufacturers. Some companies cut R&D. Others reduce purchases (and limit future profit potential), while others still must lay off workers. In each of these cases, though, the result is clear: even a temporary GSP expiration can have a lasting impact.

Oregon companies imported an estimated $113 million under GSP in 2011, saving them on average 4.2%. Indonesia was the most important source of GSP imports, accounting for about 25 percent of the tariff savings. Tires were Oregon’s top import under GSP in 2011 and would have faced average tariffs of 4% 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 12 in Oregon – joined the 2011 GSP Supporter List urging renewal of the program when it last expired.

Are you an Oregon 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.