Two Senators Ask USTR Lighthizer to Delay GSP Elimination for India

Please consider delaying India's removal from the Generalized System of Preferences by at least 30 days, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., asked U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in a letter sent April 12. While the two senators, who chair the Senate's India Caucus, say they recognize there are issues with market access into India, the period shortly before India's elections is not the most productive time to negotiate. They asked that the termination -- announced March 4 to occur 60 days hence -- be delayed beyond those elections, which will conclude May 23. They also said they are concerned that the higher tariffs on imports that used to be covered by GSP could be passed on to consumers, at least in part.