Between July 24–26, trade ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders came to Washington, D.C., for the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. This year’s forum, “Beyond 2025:...more
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), first enacted in May 2000, provides tariff-free treatment of U.S. imports of goods sourced from certain sub-Saharan African countries. AGOA is intended to bolster economic growth...more
Several U.S. sanctions and restrictions on Ethiopia and Eritrea remain in place due to the countries’ failure to fully implement the peace deal reached with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in November 2022. While...more
The Situation: African leaders gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2018 to sign the draft Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area ("CFTA") and other related protocols. Forty-four of the 55 Member...more
Commerce Extends Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System - On January 5, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced the extension of the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system until March 21, 2022....more
As a result of the initiatives put into place over the last two decades, the United States has positioned itself to take advantage of Africa’s economic resurgence, suggests a report issued by the Office of U.S. Trade...more
President Obama Highlights TPP, Cuba Embargo in Final State of the Union Address - On January 12, President Obama delivered his seventh and final State of the Union Address to Congress and the American people. Among the...more
USTR Issues Report on China’s Implementation of WTO Agreements - The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently issued an annual report on China’s implementation of its obligations under the World...more
Leading the News - Burundi - On January 22nd, during a visit to Bujumbura, the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council met with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to advocate for peace talks and the deployment of...more
The WTO Reaches 500 Requests for Dispute Settlement - The World Trade Organization (WTO) reached a milestone on November 10 when Pakistan filed the 500th request for trade consultation since the organization’s inception...more
Leading the News: Egypt - On November 5th, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his belief it was possible there was a bomb on board the Russian passenger jet that went down in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula last week....more
GSP Program Review Results in Changes to Covered Products and Countries - In late September, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced the outcome of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)...more
Leading the News - Tanzania: On October 25th, voters in Tanzania went to the polls to vote for a candidate to replace outgoing President Jakaya Kikwete, who was unable to run for a third term under the country’s...more
On October 17th, members of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council urged all Libyan parties to endorse and sign the recently finalized political agreement for the creation of a Government of National Accord. The Security...more
Leading the News: South Sudan - On August 27th, emergency relief teams from the United Nations (U.N.) Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) reached more than 27,000 people in the town of Wau...more
Leading the News - South Sudan: On August 25th, a panel of United Nations (U.N.) experts monitoring U.N. sanctions on South Sudan released a report disclosing evidence that South Sudanese solders raped children,...more
Leading the News: Burundi - On August 6th, United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to resume the political dialogue that was suspended last month and...more
Leading the News - Egypt: On July 30th-31st, the U.S. Embassy in Egypt announced plans to deliver eight F-16 fighter jets to Egypt approved as part of a military package that was unfrozen earlier this year....more
On June 29, President Obama signed the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 and extended key preferential trade programs with many of the world's developing economies. These programs include the Generalized System of...more
In This Issue: - Leading the News - United States – Africa Relations - North Africa - East Africa - West Africa - Sub-Saharan Africa - General Africa News - Excerpt from Leading the...more
In This Issue: - Update on Trade Promotion Authority and Companion Trade Bills: A Lot Can Happen In Washington In 34 Days - Congress Allows Export-Import Bank Charter to Expire, for Now - WTO Finds That COOL Is...more
On June 29, President Obama signed into law the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (“the Act”). This legislation extends certain U.S. trade preference programs through which the United States grants duty-free treatment...more
On June 25, 2015, the House of Representatives passed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (“AGO”) by a vote of 286 to 138, which includes Trade Adjustment Assistance (“TAA”), and the bill, has been sent to President Obama....more
Four key bills were introduced in both the Senate and House in late April, including the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, also known as “trade promotion authority” or “fast track,” the...more
On May 14, the Senate passed customs reauthorization trade preference legislation and gave an affirmative cloture vote for the Trade Promotion Authority Act and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. As part of a...more