RVIA is touting its advocacy efforts targeting a longer Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program duration.
Senate Finance and Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced a bill May 18 to authorize the GSP program for seven years. RVIA stated past renewals have had shorter periods.
Wyden’s bill would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021, with a new expiration date of Dec. 31, 2027.
“RVIA congratulates Sen. Wyden for introducing an ambitious renewal plan that balances new criteria with the certainty of a longer-term duration,” said Samantha Rocci, RVIA senior manager of government affairs. “As long-time supporters of the GSP program, the RV Industry Association is happy to see legislation that prioritizes renewing the GSP program and providing desperately needed certainty to American businesses by lengthening the program’s term.”
The new bill pairs the renewal with new criteria for participating countries, including:
- Requiring the beneficiary country to “effectively enforce its environmental laws or regulations” and “adopt and maintain measures implementing its obligations under common multilateral environmental agreements.”
- Ensuring that any beneficiary country has not “engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights in that country.”
- Considering the extent to which the country is achieving goals surrounding women’s rights and gender equality.
- Considering the extent to which the country has established “or is making continual progress towards establishing” rule of law, economic policies to reduce poverty and a system to combat corruption and bribery.
- Considering the extent to which the country has refrained from imposing or eliminated digital trade barriers, and taken steps to ensure digital consumer protections.
The association stated it has been one of the “loudest voices” in supporting a longer renewal, saying the proposed legislation would provide “long-term certainty for American manufacturers.”
“The RV industry alone is paying over $1 million a month in duties – millions of dollars which cannot be used towards hiring workers and expanding facilities as we emerge from COVID-19,” Rocci said. “We hope Congress can come together and quickly renew this bipartisan program. American businesses have waited long enough.”
