US to review trade preferences for India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan

WASHINGTON: The United States said Thursday it was considering revoking import preferences for India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan over concerns about trade barriers and worker rights.

Exports from those countries could lose duty-free access to the US market if the US Trade Representative decides the countries have violated the conditions of the Generalized System of Preferences.

"GSP provides an important tool to help enforce the Trump Administration´s key principles of free and fair trade across the globe," Deputy USTR Jeffrey Gerrish said in a statement. "We hope that India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan will work with us to address the concerns that led to these new reviews."

President Donald Trump has made trade central to his presidency, roiling markets and upsetting fellow Republicans by threatening to impose steep tariffs and scrap trade deals he says have undermined US workers and industry.