Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) - An Overview [UPSC Economy Notes]

The Generalized System of Preferences or the GSP is a preferential tariff system that developed countries extend to developing countries. This topic features regularly in the news and is important for the UPSC exam economy and international relations segments.

Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam.

Generalized System of Preferences

GSP was instituted by the UNCTAD in 1971. The 13 countries that provide GSP preferences to emerging and developing countries are:

1. Australia
2. Belarus
3. Canada
4. European Union
5. Iceland
6. Japan
7. Kazakhstan
8. New Zealand
9. Norway
10. Russia
11. Switzerland
12. Turkey
13. USA

The motive behind granting GSPs is to help developing countries and particularly least developed countries (LDCs) to promote productive capacity development and to encourage trade and investment.

1. GSP boosts economic growth and development in many developing countries.
2. In the GSP arrangement, certain imports from beneficiary countries are allowed concessions such as zero tariffs.
3. GSP involves reduced/zero tariffs of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of GSP providing countries.
4. The USA has a strong GSP regime for developing nations. It was launched in 1976.
5. About 120 countries benefited from the US’s GSP system. Additionally, the US also benefitted from the GSP by way of reduced costs of imported (to the US) goods used by American companies in manufacturing.
6. According to export volumes (2017 data), India and Brazil were the prime beneficiaries of the USA’s GSP regime.
7. China and a few other developing countries were not considered eligible for GSP by the US.
8. Most of the products covered under the GSP are agricultural products including fisheries, meat, animal husbandry and handicrafts. Generally, these are also the speciality products of the developing countries.
9. Under this, the US would select a group of developing or underdeveloped countries and also a list of products for which the preferential zero tariff or lower tariffs would be imposed, compared to other countries in the World Trade Organization (WTO). This list of beneficiary countries and also the products list are revised every year by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Office.

Difference between the GSP and the Normal Trade Arrangement under the WTO

Under the normal trade arrangement, countries must give equal preferences to trade partners. This is called the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause. As per the MFN, no country should be favoured or discriminated against in trade. At the same time, the WTO allows an exemption for the MFN, like the GSP awarded for developing and least developed countries.

How did the US’s withdrawal of GSP affected India?

The USA withdrew the GSP preference to India with effect from June 2019.

In fact, the US is on the way to completely phase out the GSP arrangement. Already, as of 2018, GSP for 94 products (chiefly handicraft and agricultural products) has been withdrawn for all beneficiary countries.

Out of the 94 products for which GSP has been withdrawn, India exports almost 50 products. India will be affected because the country had enjoyed preferential tariffs on exports worth almost USD 5.6 billion (under the GSP route out of a total export valued at USD 48 billion in 2017-18). Under the GSP, India exported almost 1937 products to the US. 

However, according to some sources, 90% of Indian exports to the US is under the normal route, and hence will not be affected by the withdrawal of GSP.

With President Biden taking over the reigns in 2021, it is expected that India-USA ties will improve along with the restoration of the Generalized System of Preferences. There was an indication that restoring the GSP system was on the top of a list of priorities as per the statement made by United States Representative for Trade Katherine C Tai

Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

Also, See

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2021.

UPSC exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below.

Aspirants can find complete information about upcoming Government Exams through the linked article.