LaHood Proposes GSP Eligibility Contingent on Digital Openness

Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., reintroduced a bill that would add digital trade policies to the eligibility criteria for the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program. He first introduced the bill in 2021 (see 2105100012).

LaHood complained in the news release announcing the reintroduction that several developing countries have policies similar to China's Cybersecurity Law. "The legislation would permit the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to prevent countries from receiving [beneficiary developing country] BDC status if, for example, they restrict the free-flow of data or force other restrictive e-commerce policies to the detriment of U.S. strategic interests aimed at technology sectors," the release said.

GSP has not been in effect since 2020.