ISDS Case Map
AGOA
African Growth and Opportuntities Act
Lesotho's trade minister said on Wednesday that the U.S. plans to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives the continent preferential access to U.S. markets, by a year, after returning from a visit to Washington.
Kenya expects to conclude a trade deal with the United States by year-end, its trade minister told Reuters, a move that could cushion its exports to a key market if an existing regional trade arrangement that expires this month is not renewed.
African manufacturers are lobbying US Congress to grant a last-ditch extension of one or two years to a duty-free trade programme due to expire at the end of September, a Kenyan factory owner involved in the campaign said.
AGOA supporters believe their best hope is for a short-term renewal as part of a broader bill. Options include the Continuing Resolution government funding bill and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), both of which must pass before the start of the new fiscal year on 1 October.
Kenya and the US have agreed to begin the process of negotiating a reciprocal trade deal as Trump’s administration doubles down on protectionism. The agreement sets stage for a new era of bilateral economic engagement as the AGOA nears its expiry in September.
Kenya has announced plans to kickstart negotiations with the United States on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that President Donald Trump initiated during his first administration.
As President Donald Trump rushes to finalize new trade deals before the end of the month, American companies operating abroad are still waiting for clarity on existing agreements. South Africa will not accept a trade deal with the United States that eliminates all tariffs on American goods.
The Mozambican government intends to negotiate a free trade agreement with the United States. An economist at the CIP fears that it could harm the country’s economy due to “weak competitiveness”.
The Mozambican government is considering a free trade agreement with the United States of America (USA) administration as a way of negotiating a reduction in tariffs imposed in early April, AIM Moçambique reports.
Madam Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the United States and sustaining dialogue on trade policy matters affecting both economies.
