**GAO-08-443**                      Published: Mar 07, 2008. Publicly Released: Apr 08, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

U.S. trade preference programs promote economic development in poorer nations by providing export opportunities. The Generalized System of Preferences, Caribbean Basin Initiative, Andean Trade Preference Act, and African Growth and Opportunity Act unilaterally reduce U.S. tariffs for many products from over 130 countries. However, three of these programs expire partially or in full this year, and Congress is exploring options as it considers renewal. GAO was asked to review the programs' effects on the United States and on foreign beneficiaries' exports and development, identify policy trade-offs concerning these programs, and evaluate the overall U.S. approach to preference programs. To address these objectives, we analyzed trade data, reviewed trade literature and program documents, interviewed U.S. officials, and did fieldwork in six countries.

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## Topics

Government Operations

Economic analysisEconomic developmentEconomic growthEconomic policiesExport regulationFinancial managementForeign economic assistanceInternational economic relationsInternational trade regulationProgram evaluationProgram managementTariffsTrade policiesTrade regulationTrade facilitationProgram goals or objectives