Andean Trade Preference Extension Act

The Andean Trade Preference Extension Act (H.R. 4284), introduced by Representative Charles Rangel, would continue preference programs that have played an important role in the nation’s trade and development efforts for decades.  The bill would extend the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for one year. 

The ATPA was enacted in December 1991 to help Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru develop economic alternatives to drug production and trafficking.  The ATPA provides benefits beyond those provided under the GSP.  The bill would extend the ATPA by one year for Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.  Bolivia is no longer participating in the ATPA program because it failed to meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

The bill would also extend the GSP for one year.  Under the GSP, 132 beneficiary developing countries are eligible to export approximately 3,400 types of products duty-free to the United States.  The GSP also provides additional benefits to the 44 GSP countries that are designated “least developed” under the program.  These countries may export an additional 1,400 types of products.  This bill would extend the GPS program by one year.