The United States Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), has announced the initiation of an out-of-cycle review of the eligibility of the Republic of Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Uganda to receive benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in response to a petition.
The AGOA Subcommittee of the TPSC (Subcommittee) will consider written comments, written testimony, and oral testimony in response to this notice to develop recommendations for the President as to whether Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda are meeting the AGOA eligibility criteria.
Signed into law in 2000, AGOA promotes trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa, including through substantial trade preferences. In order to qualify for AGOA trade benefits, partner countries must meet certain statutory eligibility requirements, including making continual progress toward establishing market-based economies, the rule of law, political pluralism, and elimination of barriers to US trade and investment, among others.
US AGOA imports from Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda totalled $43 million in 2016, up from $33 million in 2015. US exports to Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda totalled $281 million in 2016, up from $257 million in 2015.
