USTR Requests Comment for AGOA Annual Review
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting written public comment for the annual review of country eligibility for benefits associated with the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The USTR African Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee will consider comments in developing recommendations for the AGOA’s 2014 calendar year. The comments should be submitted electronically via http://www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2013-0035, by Oct. 25.
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Through AGOA, the administration authorizes sub-Saharan African countries to receive duty-free treatment for certain additional products under the Generalized System of Preferences and preferential status for certain textile and apparel articles. The authorization is based whether the country in question has established or is making substantial progress toward establishing:
- market-based economy
- the rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process
- the elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment
- economic policies to reduce poverty
- a system to combat corruption and bribery
- protection of internationally recognized worker rights
Additionally, the country may not engage in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests or engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. The countries eligible in 2013 were: Angola, Republic of Benin, Republic of Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Chad, Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros, Republic of Congo, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabonese Republic, The Gambia, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Kenya, Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Mali, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Namibia, Republic of Niger, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of South Africa, Republic of South Sudan, Kingdom of Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Togo, Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Zambia.
The countries not eligible in 2013 were: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, State of Eritrea, Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Mali, Somalia, Republic of Sudan and Republic of Zimbabwe. USTR Michael Froman called for AGOA renewal prior to its 2015 expiration (see 13081218). Some analysts and industry leaders predict AGOA renewal may be included in an omnibus trade package as early as the end of 2013 (see 13081212).
Comments received related to the child labor criteria may also be considered by the Secretary of Labor in the preparation of the Department of Labor’s report on child labor. Interested parties should contact USTR employee Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475 for procedural questions and Deputy USTR Assistant for Africa Constance Hamilton at (202) 395-9514 for all other questions.
(Federal Register 10/01/13)