Used clothes on sale in Kangemi, Nairobi. US President Donald Trump has
said he will suspend duty-free treatment of clothing imports from Rwanda
due to its imposed barriers on mitumba imports from the US. FILE PHOTO |
NMG
Summary
- US president cites Rwanda's imposed barriers against used-clothing imports
- In a letter to the US Congress, Trump said Rwanda’s duty-free status for apparel will end in 60 days if no corrective actions are taken.
- The US is continuing Agoa benefits for Tanzania and Uganda because both have taken steps toward eliminating used clothing tariffs
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will suspend
duty-free treatment of clothing imports from Rwanda under the African
Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
President Trump has cited Rwanda's barriers to US exports of used apparel and footwear as the reason for the suspension.
In
a letter to the US Congress, Trump said Rwanda’s duty-free status for
apparel will end in 60 days if no corrective actions are taken.
The
Agoa trade programme provides eligible sub-Saharan countries duty-free
access to the US on condition they meet certain statutory eligibility
requirements include eliminating barriers to US trade and investment.
ALSO READ: Kenya fails to lift US trade in Agoa plans
Petition
The
action followed a petition by the US used clothing industry last year
alleging that planned bans by Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda on used
clothing and footwear harmed the industry.
But the US
is continuing Agoa benefits for Tanzania and Uganda because both have
taken steps toward eliminating used clothing tariffs and committed not
to phase in a ban of these products, the US Trade Representative’s
office said in a separate statement.
“I commend
Tanzania and Uganda for taking corrective steps to address the United
States’ concerns,” Deputy US Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney said in a
statement.
“We have and will continue to work with Rwanda to resolve this situation.”
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