ISDS Case Map
AGOA
African Growth and Opportuntities Act
Kenya's trade officials have said they will be taking steps to expand exports and raise the country's share of new investments during the second edition of Trade Week at the end of this month.
The US hopes to build on AGOA’s success by strengthening bilateral trade relationships in sub-Saharan Africa with the goal of establishing a free trade agreement that could serve as a model for developing countries.
Despite having several trade and investment agreements from 1975, the inability for Africa to build substantial productive capacity has in effect rendered the continent a net importer, unable to meet even its own food requirements.
It is not clear whether the U.S. wants to change the AGOA deal before it expires in 2025 or extend it further - no decision was made on either count.
A more balanced trading relationship is vital in order to maintain support in Congress for AGOA, which allows for duty-free treatment of goods from eligible Sub-Saharan African countries, Lighthizer said.
With the Trump administration's trade agenda focused on reining in China and renegotiating the North American Free Trade agreement, Africa has barely appeared on the radar screen.
The Trump Administration has signalled its impatience to replace the AGOA preferential trade deal with Africa with normal two-way free trade agreements.
US Commerce Secretary delivered a tough message to African countries, urging them to strike bilateral trade deals with the United States and warning that the Trump administration would closely monitor their compliance with eligibility rules under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
As the EU-SADC's economic partnership agreement takes effect, the Obama administration has raised concerns that US companies have been left at a competitive disadvantage.
The short congressional session won’t be a total dead period for trade policy as the House is set to take up a bill today to enhance the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
