EDITOR’S NOTE: The European Union is due to adopt in October a simplified set of rules that will enable developing countries, especially the least developed of them, to export duty-free to the European bloc. Kimberly Ann Elliott, senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, lauds the EU’s action and hopes the U.S. will follow suit.
Finally!! After years of debating changes to rules of origin to make it easier for developing countries, especially the least-developed among them, to export duty-free under preference programs, the European Union is finally set to act at the end of this month. While the particular method chosen is not what the CGD working group on Global Trade Preference Reform recommended, it should make a meaningful difference for many LDCs whose exports have been blocked by the restrictive rules currently in place. Now, if only the Obama administration and Congress could find the courage to also act on this critical development policy issue.
Re-published with permission by the Center for Global Development. Visit the original article.
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