USTR Considering if South Sudan Should Become a GSP- Eligible Country

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice announcing the initiation of a review to consider the designation of the Republic of South Sudan as a beneficiary developing country (BDC) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, including whether South Sudan should also be designated as a Least Developed Beneficiary Country (LDBC).

The USTR is soliciting public comments regarding whether South Sudan meets the criteria for both designations by 5:00 p.m. EST on November 29, 2011.

President Must Consider Certain Criteria in Determining GSP Designation

The USTR states that in determining whether to designate any country as a GSP beneficiary developing country, the President must consider the criteria in 19 USC 2462(b)(2), 2462(c), including definitions found in 19 USC 2467. In determining whether to designate a country as a LDBC, the President must consider the factors in 19 USC 2461 and 2462(c).

After considering the eligibility criteria, the President is authorized to, and may, designate South Sudan as LDBC for purposes of the GSP program.

(See ITT’s Online Archives 11071124 for summary of the U.S. formal recognition of the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state.)

USTR contact - Tameka Cooper (202) 395-6971