GSP Eligibility of Argentina Suspended, South Sudan Added03/27/2012
On March 26, 2012 President Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation suspending the GSP eligibility of Argentina designating the Republic of South Sudan as a new beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and suspending the GSP eligibility of Argentina.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the removal of Argentina from GSP eligibility was based on that Government's refusal to pay two longstanding arbitral awards in favor of U.S. companies despite repeated requests from the companies and the U.S. Government. Ambassador Ron Kirk states that should Argentina pay the subject awards it would allow the U.S. to consider reinstating their GSP eligibility.
The suspension of Argentina's designation as a beneficiary developing country under GSP is effective 60 days after the date the Presidential Proclamation is published in the Federal Register.
According to the same press release, "The designation of South Sudan as a GSP beneficiary country follows a request by the Government of South Sudan for such designation and a subsequent interagency U.S. Government review of South Sudan’s GSP eligibility, based on the criteria set forth in the GSP statute." The President further designated South Sudan as a least developed beneficiary developing country which confers additional benefits.
The addition of the Republic of South Sudan as a beneficiary developing country under GSP is effective 20 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
The Proclamation is expected to be published in the Federal Register soon.
The full text of the Presidential Proclamation can be accessed online at:
The full text of the USTR press release is available at:
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