USTR Seeks Comments for 2020 AGOA Eligibility Review

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative seeks comments in connection with its annual review of the eligibility of countries for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), USTR said. The agency will consider, among other things, whether to restore or revoke eligibility for sub-Saharan African countries covered by AGOA. Countries found ineligible for AGOA in 2019 include Burundi; Democratic Republic of Congo; Equatorial Guinea (graduated from GSP); Eritrea; Mauritania; Seychelles (graduated from GSP); Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; and Zimbabwe. USTR will hold a public hearing on Aug. 27, and the deadline to file requests to testify there or to file any prehearing comments is noon on Aug. 14. Sept. 3 is the final deadline for comments.