India is a developed economy and ineligible for GSP benefits: US

GSP is America's oldest preferential trade scheme, which offered Indian exporters tariff-free access to the US until June, when all benefits were suspended.

The United States Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) office has classified India as a developed economy, ineligible for benefits given by Washington DC to developing countries. This is expected to stop all chances of India reclaiming its benefits under the US’ Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme.

The GSP is America’s oldest preferential trade scheme, which offered Indian exporters tariff-free access to the US until June, when all benefits were suspended. The USTR considers a country’s per capita gross national income (GNI) and share of world trade to designate its level of economic development.

On the criteria of a developing country having less than 0.5 per cent share of global trade, India crossed the limit way back, according to the government’s estimate. As of 2017, India’s share in global trade was 2.1 per cent for exports and 2.6 per cent for imports. The USTR has also argued that since India, along with nations like Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa, is part of the G20 bloc, they can be classified as being developed despite having a per capita GNI below $12,375, according to the World Bank data.

While Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said India does not need development assistances like GSP hitherto provided by other nations and should be able to become competitive on its own, the issue has continued to be part of trade talks between India and the US. On the other hand, traders have pointed out Indian export remained under pressure due to increasing competition from low-cost rivals, and that surrendering GSP claims would mean handing away market share.

In 2018, the US launched an eligibility review of India’s compliance with GSP market access criteria. It concluded the country had implemented a wide array of trade barriers that create serious negative effects on commerce. Subsequently, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in November that ended duty-free status for 50 items.

India is the largest beneficiary nation under the GSP, with total benefits from tariff exemptions amounting to $260 million in 2018, according to the data from the USTR’s office.