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AGOA

The US apparel and footwear industry is urging Congress to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act this year
12-Jun-2020 Politico
AGOA doesn’t expire until 2025, but the industry looks for certainty to the region in the face of the pandemic and upcoming US trade talks with Kenya.
Import substitution and the need for well negotiated trade agreements
18-May-2020 Nile Post
The Ministry of Trade should ensure that eventual agreements promote Uganda’s aspiration for industrialisation and provide the policy space for government to be able to use a range of trade policy instruments.
South Africa raises poultry-import tariffs, drawing US ire
16-Mar-2020 Bloomberg
The announcement immediately drew criticism from the US government, which previously threatened to exclude South Africa from a preferential trade agreement after a disagreement over the levies in 2015.
Kenya-US trade treaty likely to stifle local manufacturing- KAM
2-Mar-2020 The Star
The US has a stronger manufacturing sector meaning their products are likely to be more competitive than the locally produced commodities.
US, Kenya to start trade talks seen as template for Africa
29-Jan-2020 Bloomberg
The US and Kenya are expected to announce negotiations on a free-trade agreement, America’s first such deal with a sub-Saharan country.
United States – African Growth And Opportunity Act: Report of the government of the United States for the year 2018 under the decision of 30 november 2015
21-Nov-2019 WTO
The following communication is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the United States.
Africa wants one trade deal with the US, the US wants many
7-Aug-2019 Bloomberg
The African Union prefers a continent-wide deal with the US while the US wants bilateral deals when AGOA expires.
What the US-Africa strategy means for SA and the continent
8-Jan-2019 Moneyweb
The US-Africa Strategy seeks to re-position the US and bring it to par with China and Russia.
Joint release by USTR Robert Lighthizer and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Peter Munya
30-Aug-2018 Tralac
United States Trade Representative and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives announced the establishment of a US-Kenya Trade and Investment Working Group to explore ways to deepen the trade and investment ties between the two countries.
US, African officials prepare for post-AGOA trade future
20-Jul-2018 ICTSD
The United States wants to pave the way for a free trade agreement between Washington and sub-Saharan African countries.
Africa: Statement of USTR Robert Lighthizer at the opening plenary of the 2018 US-sub-Saharan Africa trade and cconomic Cooperation forum (AGOA forum)
13-Jul-2018 All Africa
USTR Robert Lighthizer believes the time is right to pursue free trade agreement negotiations with AGOA eligible countries.
Kenya eyes bigger pie of US trade plan Agoa to increase exports
12-Jul-2018 The East African
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.
Trump administration looks toward the future US-African trade and investment relationship
5-Jul-2018 Office of the US Trade Representative
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.
Free trade and its pitfalls: Lessons for Africa
10-Apr-2018 Daily Monitor
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.
Africa-US AGOA trade talks end with no decision, waning enthusiasm
12-Aug-2017 Reuters
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.
Lighthizer pushes for ‘greater reciprocity’ with AGOA nations
10-Aug-2017 Politico
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.
Trump administration’s Africa policy in focus at AGOA trade talks
8-Aug-2017 Reuters
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.
After AGOA: SA must prepare for two-way free trade agreements with US
19-Jun-2017 Daily Maverick
The Trump Administration has signalled its impatience to replace the AGOA preferential trade deal with Africa with normal two-way free trade agreements.
Ross: African countries face ‘critical question’
16-Jun-2017 Politico
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
US complains of disadvantage as EU-SADC trade deal kicks in
7-Oct-2016 Business Day
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.