U.S. Trade Representative Schwab Welcomes Bipartisan Senate Vote Approving Key Trade Legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab today made the following statement applauding the Senate's approval of legislation extending several trade preference programs and authorizing Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Vietnam :"I commend the strong bipartisan vote in Congress on these important trade initiatives. This bill shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, Democrats and Republicans, the Administration and Congress, can work together to further our vital trade agenda."Senate passage of legislation authorizing the grant of PNTR for Vietnam, following House approval yesterday, begins a new era in our relationship with Vietnam .  With this strong bipartisan vote, U.S. exporters and service providers will gain significant new opportunities in one of the fastest growing markets in the world as Vietnam integrates into the global, rules-based trading system.  The vote also demonstrates to our trading partners in East Asia, the United States ' commitment to strengthen and deepen our relationships in that region. "I also welcome the Senate's solid bipartisan support for extending key trade preference programs that have promoted market-based development, allowing developing countries around the world to sell their products in the U.S. and enabling U.S. consumers to enjoy a wide selection of agricultural and manufactured products.  "I believe this can also lay the groundwork for bipartisan action on trade issues in the next Congress, including passage of the Peru and Colombia Trade Promotion Agreements." BACKGROUNDThe legislation authorizes the President to terminate application of Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions and provide permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Vietnam, ensuring that American companies and consumers are able to secure the benefits of Vietnam's membership in the WTO. The legislation will also extend or broaden four trade preference programs that have helped spur economic growth and alleviate poverty in developing countries.  First, the bill extends the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, which provides for duty-free import of thousands of items from 133 beneficiary developing countries.  Second, the bill continues the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), which is aimed at creating economic incentives to move Andean countries away from the cultivation and production of drugs.  Third, the bill amends a provision in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) related to apparel made in sub-Saharan African countries.  Fourth, the bill adds a new provision to the Caribbean Basin Initiative, entitled the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE), which allows duty-free treatment for certain products from Haiti. Generalized System of PreferencesCongress created the GSP program as part of the Trade Act of 1974 to create economic opportunities in developing countries, while expanding the choices of American industry and consumers.  The GSP program provides duty-free treatment for 3,400 products from 133 designated beneficiary developing countries and territories.  Least-developed beneficiary developing countries (currently 42 of the GSP beneficiaries) can export an additional 1,400 articles to the United States duty-free under GSP.  The United States imported $26.7 billion of products under the GSP program in 2005, an 18 percent increase over 2004.  From January through September 2006 (YTD), the United States has imported $24.1 billion in GSP-eligible products, reflecting a 26.7 percent increase over GSP imports during the same period in 2005.  U.S. imports under GSP have comprised 1.8 percent of total U.S. imports YTD 2006, as compared to 1.6 percent for the same period in 2005.  African Growth and Opportunity Act The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), enacted in 2000, is the cornerstone of our trade and investment policy with sub-Saharan African countries.  Congress has amended AGOA twice before to improve and expand preferential access for beneficiary countries.  AGOA rewards reforming countries with preferences that have been proven to help reduce barriers to trade, increase exports, create jobs, and expand business opportunities for African and U.S. entrepreneurs.  In 2005, over 98 percent of imports from AGOA-eligible countries entered the United States duty-free.  U.S. imports from sub-Saharan Africa under AGOA increased to $38.1 billion in 2005, an increase of 44 percent relative to 2004.  Due, in part, to the improved business environment that AGOA has promoted in many beneficiary countries, U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa increased by 22 percent to $10.3 billion in 2005. AGOA's third-country fabric provision is a key element of AGOA's success in the African apparel sector, attracting millions of dollars in investment and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.  Though accounting for only a small share of total U.S. apparel imports (about 2 percent), apparel imports under AGOA accounted for nearly half of non-oil AGOA trade in 2005. Andean Trade Preference Act The Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) was enacted in December 1991, and authorizes eligible products from four Andean countries – Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador , and Peru – to enter the United States duty-free.  The primary goal of ATPA was to promote economic alternatives to the production, processing, and shipment of illegal drugs by offering Andean products improved access to the U.S. market.  ATPA expired on December 4, 2001.  On August 6, 2002 , the President signed into law the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which renewed ATPA trade preferences through December 31, 2006, and authorized the extension of ATPA preferences to additional products.Total (two way) goods trade between the United States and the four ATPA countries in 2005 was $29.9 billion.  U.S. goods imports from ATPA countries totaled $20 billion in 2005, up 29.1% from 2004.  U.S. imports from ATPA countries for 2005 were: Colombia ($8.8 billion), Ecuador ($5.8 billion), Peru ($5.1 billion), and Bolivia ($293 million).  U.S. goods exports to ATPA countries in 2005 were $9.9 billion, up 17 percent from 2004.  Together, the ATPA countries ranked 19th as an export market for the United States in 2005.   U.S. goods exports to the ATPA countries for 2005 were: Colombia ($5.4 billion), Peru ($2.3 billion), Ecuador ($2.0 billion), and Bolivia ($218 million).  U.S. foreign direct investment in ATPA countries was $8.2 billion in 2005. Vietnam Permanent Normal Trade Relations Vietnam negotiated strong and commercially meaningful terms for accession to the WTO and will implement its WTO commitments immediately, with few transitions.  It has passed more than 80 laws to implement fully the agreements, including substantial changes to its regime on intellectual property rights protection.  Vietnam will become a WTO member in early January.Vietnam will join 149 other members of the WTO.   As a WTO member, Vietnam will be required to abide by international trading rules and will provide greater access to its growing market of over 82 million people to all WTO members. Vietnam will also be required to enhance transparency in government processes and increase economic freedoms.Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 (HOPE Act) makes Haiti eligible for new trade benefits, in addition to those it currently receives under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).  Under current law, apparel imports from Haiti qualify for duty-free treatment only if they are made from U.S. or Haitian fabric.  The HOPE Act will also allow apparel imports from Haiti to enter the United States duty free if at least 50 percent of the value of inputs and/or costs of processing are from any combination of U.S. FTA and regional preference program partner countries.  The quantity of apparel eligible for duty-free treatment under this provision is subject to a limit in the first year equivalent to 1% of overall U.S. apparel imports.  This limit will expand gradually over five years, reaching 2% in the fifth year. The HOPE Act also removes duties for three years on a specified quantity of woven apparel imports from Haiti made from fabric produced anywhere in the world.  Finally, the HOPE Act will allow automotive wire harnesses imported from Haiti that contain at least 50% by value of materials produced in Haiti, U.S. FTA or regional preference program countries to qualify for duty-free treatment.