News
U.S. cuts off Ethiopia, Mali, Guinea from Africa duty-free trade program
U.S. cuts off Ethiopia, Mali, Guinea from Africa duty-free trade program
(Reuters) -The United States on Saturday cut Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from access to a duty-free trade program, following through on President Joe Biden’s threat to do so over alleged human rights violations and recent coups.
“The United States today terminated Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from the AGOA trade preference program due to actions taken by each of their governments in violation of the AGOA Statute,” the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said in a statement.
Biden said in November that Ethiopia https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-conflict-trade-idCAKBN2HN1QQ would be cut off from the duty-free trading regime provided under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to alleged human rights violations in the Tigray region, while Mali and Guinea were targeted due to recent coups.
The suspension of benefits threatens Ethiopia’s textile industry, which supplies global fashion brands, and the country’s nascent hopes of becoming a light manufacturing hub. It also piles more pressure on an economy reeling from the conflict, the coronavirus pandemic, and high inflation.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is deeply concerned by the unconstitutional change in governments in both Guinea and Mali, and by the gross violations of internationally recognized human rights being perpetrated by the Government of Ethiopia and other parties amid the widening conflict in northern Ethiopia,” the USTR statement said.
The AGOA trade legislation provides sub-Saharan African nations with duty-free access to the United States if they meet certain eligibility requirements, such as eliminating barriers to U.S. trade and investment and making progress toward political pluralism.
“Each country has clear benchmarks for a pathway toward reinstatement and the Administration will work with their governments to achieve that objective,” it added.
The Washington embassies of the three African countries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ethiopia’s Trade Ministry said it November it was “extremely disappointed” by Washington’s announcement, saying the move would reverse economic gains and unfairly impact and harm women and children.
- News19 hours ago
Appeal Court Overturns Judgment On Rivers LG Elections
- News12 hours ago
Why Seyi Tinubu Can’t Be Lagos Governor- Igbokwe
- Top Stories18 hours ago
“I did not punch Akpabio” – Senator Bamidele speaks on alleged fight with Senate President
- Top Stories19 hours ago
2027: “No vacancy for non-indigenes in Alausa” – Lagos youths tell Seyi Tinubu
- Top Stories15 hours ago
Simon Ekpa Not Our Member, Should Not Be Associated With Us- IPOB
- Politics19 hours ago
‘Don’t Waste Your Time Again In 2027’: Bode George Begs Atiku (Video)
- News18 hours ago
My husband assaulted me, ruined my career – Olajumoke Onibread
- Top Stories19 hours ago
National Assembly Passes Bill For Life Imprisonment For Drug Traffickers