Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Modernization Act of 2021
Latest action (17 Jun 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
# Summary of H.R. 3975 — Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Modernization Act of 2021
This bill would renew and update the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a longstanding program that allows certain imports from designated developing countries to enter the United States duty-free or at reduced tariff rates, which had lapsed and would be extended under this legislation. It also directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to conduct a study related to the program. Separately, the bill would temporarily suspend or reduce U.S. import duties on several hundred specific products, mostly chemicals, minerals, agricultural ingredients, dyes, pesticides, and manufacturing inputs that are not widely produced domestically.
The bill primarily affects U.S. manufacturers and businesses that import raw materials, chemical inputs, and specialty ingredients used in producing goods such as plastics, textiles, agricultural chemicals, electronics, and consumer products; it would lower their costs by reducing or eliminating tariffs on these specific items. It also affects developing countries that export goods to the U.S. under GSP, as well as U.S. importers and retailers who rely on preferential tariff treatment for those goods.
The bill was introduced in the House on June 17, 2021, by Rep. Earl Blumenauer and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 117th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Modernization Act of 2021
This bill reauthorizes and revises specified U.S. trade programs and provisions.
Specifically, the bill extends through December 31, 2024, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides duty-free treatment to products imported from designated beneficiary countries. The bill makes various changes to the GSP, including by (1) adding human rights, environmental, and other criteria for designation as a beneficiary developing country; (2) requiring a review of laws relating to worker and gender rights; and (3) requiring a study on rules of origin and GSP utilization rates.
Additionally, the bill provides through December 31, 2023, and retroactively applies to 120 days before this bill's enactment, temporary duty suspensions or reductions to eligible imported products. This authorization is commonly known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB). The last version of the MTB was enacted in September 2018 and the temporary treatment for those products listed in the MTB expired on December 31, 2020.
The bill also extends the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 for two future MTB cycles (one in 2022 and one in 2025). This extension allows the U.S. International Trade Commission to conduct the MTB petition, review, and recommendation process for those additional cycles.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3975 do?
- # Summary of H.R. 3975 — Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Modernization Act of 2021 This bill would renew and update the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a longstanding program that allows certain imports from designated developing countries to enter the United States duty-free or at reduced tariff rates, which had lapsed and would be extended under this legislation. It also directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to conduct a study related to the program. Separately, the bill would temporarily suspend or reduce U.S. import duties on several hundred specific products, mostly chemicals, minerals, agricultural ingredients, dyes, pesticides, and manufacturing inputs that are not widely produced domestically. The bill primarily affects U.S. manufacturers and businesses that import raw materials, chemical inputs, and specialty ingredients used in producing goods such as plastics, textiles, agricultural chemicals, electronics, and consumer products; it would lower their costs by reducing or eliminating tariffs on these specific items. It also affects developing countries that export goods to the U.S. under GSP, as well as U.S. importers and retailers who rely on preferential tariff treatment for those goods. The bill was introduced in the House on June 17, 2021, by Rep. Earl Blumenauer and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 117th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 3975 become law?
- Not yet. As of 17 Jun 2021, H.R. 3975 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3975?
- H.R. 3975 was sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D-OR3, 1996-2024] (Democrat-OR), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3975?
- Introduced (17 Jun 2021).
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