The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) extends duty-free treatment to many products imported from developing countries into the United States. GSP is an important way American companies keep costs down. Large corporations, as well as small businesses utilize the program. The current program is set to expire on December 31, 2010. A separate, more expansive program applies to imports from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa through 2015.


The Coalition for GSP is a Washington, DC-based group of businesses, trade associations, and consumer organizations that seeks the renewal of the GSP program by Congress each time it expires. Since 1992, the Coalition has been the predominant U.S. business community voice advocating GSP renewal.


The Coalition for GSP is run by The Trade Partnership. Each time it expires, the Coalition seeks the longest possible extension of the current GSP scheme. To this end, Coalition members and staff communicate regularly in Washington with Administration and Congressional officials to encourage them to move forward expeditiously with GSP renewal. Coalition members have testified at House and Senate hearings held to consider GSP renewal.

Members of the Coalition receive regular memoranda and other communications keeping them abreast of the status of GSP renewal so that they can best plan pricing and ordering strategies. These memos also suggest various actions Members can take to move the process along.

Members are invited on visits with Congressional staff and, when possible, with Members of Congress, as well as officials of the Administration involved in the renewal process.

Finally, the Coalition provides members substantive support, including: drafts of letters members can use as guidelines for their own letters, talking points for phone calls, testimony for companies willing to be witnesses at Congressional hearings, and other similar information and data to help companies make the case for GSP.

With the upcoming expiration of the program on December 31, 2010, The Trade Partnership is looking to add additional members to the Coalition. If you are interested joining the Coalition, please call us at (202) 347-1085.



Coalition Reports

• The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences Program: An Update (February 2009).

• Unilateral Preferential Trade Programs Offered by the United States, the European Union, and Canada: A Comparison (December 2008).

• Estimated Impact of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences to U.S. Industry and Consumers (November 2006).

Public Comments and Testimony

• Written statement of the Coalition for GSP on ways to improve preferences submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee (December 2009).

• Consensus Recommendations for U.S. Preference Program Improvements submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee (December 2009).

• Public comments on effectiveness of preference programs for U.S. businesses submitted to the Senate Finance Committee (June 2008).

Business Community Letters and Press Releases

• Letter to Congress Urging Immediate Renewal of GSP (September 2009).

• Press Release: Preference Reform Letters (April 2009).

• Preference Reform Letter to Congress (April 2009).

• Preference Reform Letter to USTR (April 2009).

• Press Release: American Companies Cheer GSP Renewal by Congress (October 2008).

• Press Release: American Business Applauds House Action on GSP, Calls for Quick Senate Consideration (July 2008).

• Open Letter to Congress on Renewal of GSP (June 2008).

Fact Sheets

•The Generalized System of Preferences: A Primer (February 2009).

•It's Time to Renew GSP (February 2009).

•GSP Expiration and Renewal History (February 2009).

•Leading Product Groups (February 2009).

•Top GSP Sources (February 2009).

Competitive Need Limit Waiver Information

•Competitve Need Limit Waivers: A Primer (July 2008).

• Impact of CNL Change on Jewelry Trade: One Year Later (December 2008).

• Impact of CNL Change on Brake Parts: One Year Later (December 2008).

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