AGOA

Trump moves to suspend some AGOA benefits for Rwanda over used clothing import ban

President Trump on Thursday announced that he intends to suspend duty-free benefits for apparel products granted to Rwanda under the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 60 days due to the country’s import ban on used apparel and its lack of progress towards eliminating it despite U.S. overtures. The decision to suspend some of Rwanda’s benefits was based off an out-of-cycle AGOA review of Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda concerning a 2016 decision by the East African Community to impose an...

U.S. should shift focus in Africa from aid to trade, analysts and officials say

The U.S. needs a new approach to Africa that is focused more on developing commercial ties and less on providing aid, analysts and government officials said Friday. Speaking at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event, Erin Walsh, assistant secretary of Commerce for global markets, said it was critical for the U.S. to pivot from a focus on aid to Africa to one of commercial engagement with African countries. To that end, she said, the President’s Advisory Council on...

Lighthizer: U.S. will soon select an African country for a 'model' free trade deal

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expects the U.S. will soon strike a free trade deal with a “properly selected” African country that will become a model for others in the region, he said on Wednesday. During a radio interview at the White House, Lighthizer was asked about the potential for U.S. trade in the African region – something covered by the African Growth and Opportunities Act, which he said was designed to “get these economies to start moving forward” with...

ITC launches study on trade and investment in Sub-Saharan Africa

The U.S. International Trade Commission, at the request of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, has begun an investigation into U.S. trade and investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on seven countries, continental trade negotiations and the impact of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The ITC expects to deliver its report by April 30, 2018. It will hold a public hearing on Jan. 23, with comments due by Feb. 6. Lighthizer requested the study on Oct. 16 in a...

Lighthizer: 'Much more work needs to be done' on AGOA

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer debuted at the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in Togo on Wednesday with praise for the deal and its potential – and a warning that “much more work needs to be done.” In his opening speech, Lighthizer said the U.S. is “committed to Africa. We see great potential to grow and deepen our trade relationship, with the goal of establishing a true partnership for the future. By lowering barriers and tackling other constraints that...

Ways & Means leaders laud AGOA as forum gets underway

The chairmen of the House Ways & Means Committee and its trade subcommittee marked the start of African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum talks today with a statement lauding the arrangement and urging all involved to enhance it. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is leading the U.S. delegation to the AGOA forum in Togo , which ends Aug. 10. Ways & Means Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) said the 10-year renewal and enhancement of AGOA two years ago “was the longest...

AGOA, GSP beneficiaries laud programs in comments on trade agreements

Beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the U.S.' Generalized System of Preferences commended the preference-granting programs as mutually beneficial in comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as part of its review of existing trade agreements. President Trump, in an April 29 executive order, called for USTR and the Commerce Department to review existing trade agreements and submit a report to the White House on violations and abuses of those agreements. As part of...

Lighthizer to take Trump’s fair and reciprocal trade message to Africa

The Trump administration's top trade envoy next week will espouse the view that trade with Africa should be fair and reciprocal when he attends the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in Togo. At the forum, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will “outline the administration’s trade policy approach to Africa generally, and to the sub-Saharan African region specifically,” Constance Hamilton, acting assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, said during an Aug. 3 press briefing on the forum. “We expect...

Lighthizer to lead U.S delegation to August AGOA forum

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will head to Lomé, Togo, in August, to lead the U.S. delegation to the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act forum, co-hosted by the U.S. and the western African nation. According to the State Department, the theme of the Aug. 8-10 forum is “The United States and Africa: Partnering for Prosperity through Trade.” Lighthizer will be accompanied by representatives from the State, Agriculture, Commerce, Treasury and other departments. Members of Congress have also been invited...

Retailers, EAC say out-of-cycle review should not eliminate AGOA benefits

A group of retail industry trade associations -- as well as the East African Community, Uganda, and the African Cotton & Textile Industry Federation -- are charging that USTR's out-of-cycle review of Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda’s compliance with obligations under the African Growth and Opportunity Act is either unwarranted or should not result in those countries losing their AGOA benefits. The opponents of the review claim that questions of compliance should be resolved without Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda losing their...

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