Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review

Following receipt of an amended request on January 12, 2016, from the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) has expanded the scope of investigation No. 332-556, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review, to include five additional HTS statistical reporting numbers relating to certain handbags and travel goods products: 4202.92.30.20; 4202.92.30.31; 4202.92.30.91; 4202.92.90.26; and 4202.92.90.60. The USTR asked that the Commission provide its advice as to the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties on these five articles for all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP program, least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs), beneficiary developing countries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and both LDBDCs and AGOA beneficiary developing countries combined under the GSP program. In his January 12, 2016 letter, the USTR also requested that the Commission provide its advice with respect to whether like or directly competitive products were being produced in the United States on January 1, 1995 for these additional 5 articles as well as for all of the products being considered for addition to and removal from the list of GSP-eligible products listed in Tables A and B of the Annex to the December 30, 2015 request letter.