In late March, two congressional committees conducted hearings with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to discuss renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade preference program.
The GSP program was not renewed in 2020, a year after RVIA successfully petitioned the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to provide tariff relief for certain lauan plywood from Indonesia. The decision eliminated an 8% tariff on the plywood, saving the RV industry nearly $1.5 million a month.
Since 2020, the tariff has been reinstated, costing the RV industry more than $58 million over three-plus years.
In hearings with the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, Tai was asked about the GSP’s renewal. In both hearings, she expressed her support for reauthorizing the GSP this year.
“We are optimistic to hear Ambassador Tai go on the record supporting a timely renewal of the program,” RVIA said, “and pleased that so many members of Congress took this opportunity to raise the issue directly with the ambassador. We are continuing to engage with congressional champions to push for reauthorization this year.”
In the Senate Finance Committee hearing, Tai not only said she supported renewal but also retroactive relief.
For more information on the GSP program, email RVIA’s Samantha Rocci at [email protected].
