Political Quotes

“as chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, I want to highlight that the conference report on H.R. 3448, the Small Business Jobs Protection Act, contains provisions that extend the Generalized System of Preferences [GSP] Program, through May 31, 1997. The GSP Program promotes three broad policy goals: First, to help maintain U.S. international competitiveness by lowering costs for U.S. businesses, as well as lowering prices for American consumers; second, to foster economic development in developing countries and economies in transition through increased trade, rather than foreign aid; and third, to promote U.S. Trade interests by encouraging beneficiaries to open their markets and comply more fully with international trading rules. This important legislation will help American businesses across the country, both small and large, by eliminating unnecessary tariffs on certain imported products. Extension of GSP will expand trade and prevent job losses in a wide variety of U.S. industries currently suffering increased tariff costs as a result of the expiration of GSP. Reauthorization of GSP, in this difficult budget environment, should be viewed by our trading partners as indicative of our continued commitment to the expansion of international trade and economic opportunity.”