mar 29, 2018 - (8) USTR finds Rwanda noncompliant under AGOA

Description:

March 29. 2018, based on the results of an out-of-cycle review of the eligibility of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda for trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), USTR has determined that Rwanda is not making sufficient progress toward the elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment. The US will intend to suspend Rwanda’s duty-free treatment for all AGOA-eligible apparel products in 60 days. In March 2017, the U.S. association representing used clothing exporters, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), filed a case with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) challenging the policies that limit used clothing imports in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda resolved the issue in 2017.