USTR Launches AGOA Out-of-Cycle Review for South Africa
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative launched an out-of-cycle review on South African eligibility in the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The agency is asking for stakeholder comments. A USTR subcommittee will convene a hearing on South African beneficiary status on Aug. 7, and those that want to attend the hearing must contact USTR by Aug. 5. All pre-hearing briefs, statements or comments are also due on that date. The deadline for post-hearing materials is Aug. 12.
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Lawmakers tacked language onto the preferences bill, which included renewals for AGOA and the Generalized System of Preferences, to require the out-of-cycle review. Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Chris Coons, D-Del., led the charge to include that provision after months of negotiations with South African industry over trade remedy duties on U.S. exports. Industry representatives from both countries struck a deal to pave the way for more U.S. exports in early June, although the details remain unclear (see 1506050062).
Isakson and Coons previously threatened to add language onto the preference legislation to terminate South African beneficiary status in AGOA after three years (see 1505070067). AGOA statute includes requirements that beneficiaries work to eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment. Stakeholders are encouraged to comment via www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2015-0009.
(Federal Register 07/21/15)