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Proc 9955ProclamationTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 9955

To Modify Duty-Free Treatment Under the Generalized System of Preferences and for Other Purposes

This proclamation modifies U.S. trade preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). It restores duty-free treatment for certain Ukrainian goods effective 5 days after signing, suspends such treatment for certain Thai goods effective 6 months later due to worker rights concerns, and makes multiple technical adjustments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule including competitive need limitation changes, country redesignations, Mali's AGOA status, and updating 'Macedonia' to 'North Macedonia'.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 58567

Impact dates

  1. Thailand GSP suspension takes effect

  2. Mali AGOA HTS modification enters effect

  3. HTS modifications for Ukraine, Thailand, competitive need changes, and country redesignations effective for articles entered/withdrawn

  4. Ukraine GSP suspension termination takes effect

Key directives

  • Terminate suspension of GSP duty-free treatment for certain Ukrainian articles
  • Suspend GSP duty-free treatment for certain Thai articles
  • Modify HTS to reflect Ukraine and Thailand changes
  • Terminate duty-free treatment for articles exceeding competitive need limitations from certain countries
  • Disregard competitive need limitations for certain articles from certain countries
  • Waive competitive need limitations for specific article from specific country
  • Redesignate certain countries as beneficiary developing countries for certain articles
  • Designate Mali as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA
  • Update HTS references from 'Macedonia' to 'North Macedonia'
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Ukraine GSP suspension termination effective October 30, 2019 (5 days after signing)
  • HTS modifications for Ukraine, competitive need changes, and country redesignations effective November 1, 2019 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Near term (90d)

  • Mali AGOA tariff treatment modification enters effect 30 days after Federal Register publication (filed October 30, 2019)

Long term

  • Thailand GSP suspension effective April 25, 2020 (6 months after signing)

Risks & tensions

  • Thailand suspension based on worker rights determination may strain bilateral trade relations
  • Ukraine restoration follows prior IPR-related suspension, suggesting ongoing conditionality
  • Competitive need limitation adjustments create winners/losers among beneficiary developing countries
  • Multiple annexes not provided in text leave precise scope uncertain
Proclamation 9955: To Modify Duty-Free Treatment Under the Generalized System of Preferences and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders