WASHINGTON- The U.S. Senate has passed a 10-year extension of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), an important trade and development program for U.S. employers and Caribbean Basin countries. Legislation to extend the program was introduced by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell (D-Ala.-7) and Brad Wenstrup R-Ohio-2) in 2019.
“I am proud of passage of our legislation to provide long-term certainty and support for this important trade and development program. The U.S. and the Caribbean have close ties, which will be strengthened further by this long-term extension of CBTPA. By continuing this program, we continue our support and reinforce our economic and diplomatic relationships.”
CBTPA provides preferential trade access for goods imported from Caribbean countries that meet certain criteria. These trade preferences have resulted in economic development and a promotion of U.S. exports.
###