Trade Agreement & Program Architecture
Approach
We design and fix the rules that make trade agreements and preference programs work in the real world. SSA has drafted major legislation and modernized cornerstone programs, as well as helping our clients secure advantageous treatment under trade agreement negotiations.
Results
SSA professionals authored HOPE I, HOPE II, and HELP for Haiti, embedding flexible rules that broadened qualifying production and strengthened the regional apparel and cotton supply chain. We drafted the GSP UPDATE Act that opened GSP to travel goods, and have guided FTA negotiations for foreign governments, solving politically sensitive issues that were ultimately reflected in U.S. implementing legislation. Our wins include:
- The GSP UPDATE Act — adding travel goods, the first major GSP expansion in 40 years.
- The HOPE I, HOPE II, and HELP Acts, sustaining Western Hemisphere apparel supply chains and U.S. cotton and yarn exports.
- GSP modernization, including CNL reform and restored eligibility for Indonesian lauan plywood.
PNTR wins for Laos and Cambodia and the first QIZ designations in Egypt and Jordan.