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Published: 2008

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The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) provides duty-free tariff treatment to certain products imported from designated developing countries. The United States, the European Union, and other developed countries implemented such programs in the 1970s in order to promote economic growth in developing countries by stimulating their exports. The U.S. program (as established by Title V of the Trade Act of 1974) was extended until December 31, 2008, in section 8002 of P.L. 109-432 for all GSP beneficiary countries not covered by the African Growth and Opportunity Acceleration Act of 2004 (P.L.108-274, extended GSP benefits for AGOA beneficiary countries through September 30, 2015). On February 7, 2008, House Ways and Means Chairman Rangel introduced H.R. 5264, a bill seeking to further extend the Generalized System of Preferences and other trade preference programs, such as the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), until September 30, 2010. As passed by the House on February 27 and the Senate on February 28, the law extends only the ATPA for an additional ten months, until December 31, 2008 (P.L. 110-191). Therefore, the GSP and ATPA will expire at the end of 2008, unless renewed by Congress.