On February 23, 2015, a group of 628 companies and trade organizations submitted a letter to the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Ways and Means demanding the immediate reinstatement of the General System of Preference (GSP) with a retroactive provision.

In their letter, the entities covering 45 states and 286 congressional districts explain that, “the mounting costs and uncertainty surrounding when GSP might be renewed have had a chilling effect on our ability to grow and compete in the global marketplace. Many of us have been forced to lay off workers, cut employee wages and benefits, delay new hires, or cancel job creating investments as a direct result of GSP expiration.”

The preferential duty program expired on July 31, 2013, and congress has yet to indicate whether GSP will be reauthorized.  

The letter can be viewed here