McDermott, Rangel Applaud Inclusion of South Sudan in the Generalized System of Preferences Program

Press Release

Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Committee Member and former Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) applauded today's presidential proclamation designating the Republic of South Sudan the newest least developed country beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Reps. McDermott and Rangel introduced a bill in July 2011 that would designate the Republic of South Sudan as an eligible country under the separate African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides even greater benefits to eligible sub-Saharan African countries and helps forge stronger commercial bonds between U.S. and African businesses. Today's GSP designation is a prerequisite for consideration of the Republic of South Sudan for trade benefits under AGOA.

MCDERMOTT: "Today's GSP designation is not only of great significance in and of itself, confirming yet again that we welcome South Sudan to the community of nations, it also brings us a step closer to being able to add the Republic of South Sudan to the group of countries that can partake of the valuable benefits of AGOA. The Administration is doing its part. Now we need to do our part, and pass legislation extending expiring elements of AGOA and listing the Republic of South Sudan as a potential beneficiary. Mr. Rangel and I introduced that legislation 8 months ago and despite the fact that it has broad-based support, our Republican colleagues have not yet moved the bill. Republicans should bring this bill to the floor immediately; Africa is losing business as we speak and the Republic of South Sudan is waiting to become a part of the AGOA circle of growth. AGOA has proven itself to not only help African countries, but it also creates opportunities for U.S. businesses."

RANGEL: "The designation of South Sudan as GSP-eligible is certainly welcome news. Unfortunately there is also a lot of bad news coming out of Africa right now, with the impending expiration of the AGOA third-country fabric provision. African producers tell us that, due largely to uncertainty about this provision's renewal, importers began to shift their orders out of Africa during the second half of 2011. Africa cannot afford this shift. And we have it within our power to stop it. I will continue to push my Republican colleagues to pass the non-controversial bill renewing the third-country fabric provision and adding South Sudan as a possible AGOA beneficiary as soon as possible."

Source